The Grootfontein Municipality plans to roll out development activities and projects in 2025 that will enhance the socio-economic status of the town and improve residents' well-being.

Newly re-elected mayor Talitha Garises stated that these plans include social housing, roadworks, cleanup campaigns, land delivery, and vendor databases.

Garises noted that the council will implement the national housing policy to meet the demand for middle- to low-income housing.

It also aims to ensure flexible land tenure for those residing in informal settlements, including 70 ultra-low housing units for single-quarter residents and 300 plots as part of the informal settlement upgrading program, among others.

Garises further shared:

“As you all know, Grootfontein is home to the last single quarters in Namibia, an apartheid symbol in post-independent Namibia. As can be seen, we have already constructed a considerable number of houses, some completed and others still in progress. The program aligns with Namibia's Housing Policy, the Flexible Land Tenure Program, and the Grootfontein Municipality's 2024-2028 Strategic Plan. Currently, significant stretches of local roads have received a slurry service.”

Regarding this year's successes, Garises mentioned that the council implemented a prepaid water meter pilot project and resolved to establish a fire station to complement the existing one, particularly to respond to emergencies in Blikkies Dorp.

“We started the pilot project last month, I believe, with 20 houses selected to test the efficiency of the system. Once confirmed, this will be rolled out to the entire Grootfontein. This is beneficial as clients will only pay for what they use. Prepaid meters are on the way for Grootfontein. There is a need for a fire station, and in this context, a fire station valued at 4.5 million dollars will be constructed for quicker responses to emergencies.”

The council will also create a vendors database to regulate rent and ensure proper allocation of stalls.