Swakopmund Residents Association

13/06/2026

12/06/2026

We are excited to announce the return of the Bank of Namibia National High School Competition!

This flagship initiative brings together high school learners from all 14 regions of Namibia, providing a platform to showcase their knowledge, strengthen critical thinking and leadership skills, and engage on the mandate of the Bank of Namibia and key national economic issues.

Schools are invited to register and be part of this impactful initiative shaping Namibia’s future leaders and scholars.

Register here: https://bit.ly/3UybSKR
Closing date: 12 June 2026

11/06/2026

Parental exploitation alleged as Angolan child beggars return despite repatriation efforts

Placido Hilukilwa

EFFORTS to address the growing number of young Angolan children begging and selling goods on Namibian streets have so far failed, prompting warnings from officials and the public that the issue may be driven not only by poverty, but also by parental exploitation.

The children and their parents are members of the Mwila, or Mumwila, tribe from Angola’s southern Huíla Province, where authorities are also struggling with the phenomenon. The Mwila belong to the larger Nyaneka-Khumbi ethnic group. Huíla Province is named after them, derived from "Mwila".

The governments of Namibia and Angola facilitated the children’s repatriation in 2024 and again in 2025, but they returned to Namibia shortly after each operation.

The Windhoek City Council recently adopted a motion calling for urgent national intervention to address the situation, citing safety risks posed by children as young as five selling wooden sticks and knobkerries and soliciting money from motorists at busy intersections.

Angolan media have described the begging children as "a persistent social challenge" in Lubango, the capital of Huíla Province. The children are regularly seen at tourist sites and supermarkets.

Authorities in Lubango occasionally round them up and place them in shelters such as “Criança Feliz” and “Dianinho”, which provide accommodation, meals, psychological support, and promote integration into schools.

However, it is alleged that parents remove them from these facilities and send or bring them back to Namibia, where the begging continues.

Sources familiar with the issue claim parents use their children to beg not out of necessity, but due to greed. The Mwila are traditionally wealthy in cattle, goats and cereal crops but are reportedly reluctant to part with their assets, preferring instead to send children to beg and accumulate cash.

Angolan commentators are urging Namibians not to give money to the children, arguing that donations only incentivise parents to continue the practice.

Photo for illustrative purposes only. Photo: File

11/06/2026

11/06/2026

Dear Residents,

The Municipality of Swakopmund would like to inform residents that water disconnections for overdue municipal accounts will commence from Monday, 15 June 2026.

The affected areas are:
* Matutura
* Mondesa

Disconnections will be carried out during normal working days only, from Monday, 15 June 2026, to Thursday, 18 June 2026.

Residents are strongly encouraged to settle their outstanding accounts or make payment arrangements with the Municipality before the disconnection date to avoid service interruption.

Payments can be made directly into the Municipality's bank account using the attached banking details. Please use your municipal account number as the payment reference. Please note that a reconnection fee of N$277.91 will be charged should the water supply be disconnected and subsequently restored.

For enquiries or to make payment arrangements, please contact:

• Delila Khunuxas [email protected] 0644104317
• Patience M Naris [email protected] 0644104318

The Municipality urges affected residents to settle their accounts promptly to avoid any inconveniences.

10/06/2026

Erongo RED has confirmed that no dividends were declared at its March 2026 annual general meeting, after the Swakopmund Residents Association questioned whether municipalities are...

10/06/2026

Swakopmund Municipality paid N$19.9 million in overtime during the 2024/2025 financial year, with the cost now under scrutiny after it was raised at the Swakopmund Residents...

09/06/2026

SWAKOPMUND ANNUAL BUSINESS BREAKFAST 2026

Join business leaders, entrepreneurs, investors, professionals, and residents at the 5th Annual Swakopmund Business Breakfast Meeting as we explore new opportunities for growth, innovation, and economic development under the theme:

“The Next Wave: Turning New Industries into Coastal Prosperity.”

As Swakopmund continues to position itself as a hub for investment, tourism, logistics, energy, technology, and entrepreneurship, this event offers a unique platform to engage with key stakeholders, gain valuable insights, and contribute to discussions that will help shape the future of our coastal economy.

DATE: 10 July 2026
VENUE: MTC Dome Conference Hall
TIME: 07:30 – 11:30
INVESTMENT: N$250 per person
RSVP: [email protected]
TEL: +264 815500555/ +264 811421402

Whether you are an established business owner, a start-up entrepreneur, an investor, or a resident passionate about the growth of our town, this is an event you do not want to miss.

Be part of the next wave. Be part of the conversation. Be part of Swakopmund’s future.

09/06/2026

TERMINATE: Telecom customers may terminate their contracts without early termination penalties if the operator fails to resolve network complaints within prescribed timeframes, the Communications Regulatory Authority of Namibia (CRAN) has said.

CRAN formally engaged Telecom on 3 June 2026 following widespread service outages between January and May 2026, giving the operator four months to complete short-term network stabilisation measures.

(Report: Chelva Wells) NAMPA