As proud inhabitants and taxpayers of Namibia, we are deeply concerned about the deteriorating state of our central business district. The Owela Museum, for example, holds special significance for us all. Once a celebrated showcase of Namibian heritage and natural history it was a popular destination for school groups, Namibians, and tourists alike. However, since its "temporary closure" during the COVID-19 pandemic, the museum and its surroundings have been neglected entirely.

This neglect is emblematic of a broader decline in our CBD's maintenance. Windhoek, once proudly known as Africa's cleanest city, lost this title to Kigali in 2013, and "our ranking continues to decline", as noted by the Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism in 2024.

We call on the Ministry of Education, Arts, and Culture, the Ministry of Health and Social Services, and the City of Windhoek to fulfil their responsibilities and address this unacceptable situation.

While citizens stand ready to support community initiatives, the primary responsibility for maintaining public facilities must remain with the relevant authorities.

Let’s stand together to make Windhoek the cleanest city in Africa again.