Windhoek Municipality: N$3.3m SAIMSA Games Delegation Funds Questioned

• The City of Windhoek plans to spend N$3.3 million to send 170 employees and 11 councillors to the SAIMSA games in Eswatini.
• This expenditure occurs as the municipality faces an annual funding shortfall of N$300 million.
• City communications manager Harold Akwenye confirmed participation, justifying it as promoting employee wellness and regional cooperation.
• The final delegation size and cost are subject to approval, with assurances that essential services will not be compromised.
• The spending has raised questions about public funds accountability amid the municipality's financial challenges.

This substantial expenditure comes at a time when the municipality is grappling with an annual funding deficit estimated at N$300 million, raising concerns about the judicious use of public funds.

The City of Windhoek is preparing to allocate N$3.3 million for a delegation comprising 170 employees and 11 councillors to attend the 2026 Southern Africa Inter-Municipal Sports Association (SAIMSA) games in Eswatini. This substantial expenditure comes at a time when the municipality is grappling with an annual funding deficit estimated at N$300 million, raising concerns about the judicious use of public funds. The games are scheduled to take place from September 20 to 25, with the delegation reportedly set to depart this Thursday.

Harold Akwenye, the City's communications manager, confirmed the municipality's participation in the upcoming Eswatini sports event. However, he refrained from confirming or denying the N$3.3 million cost figure, explaining that the final expense would be contingent upon the approved number of participants and the logistical requirements involved. The anticipated costs are slated to cover a comprehensive range of needs, including transportation, vehicle usage, accommodation, meals, subsistence and travel allowances, as well as necessary logistical and security provisions for the Windhoek delegation.

Akwenye articulated that the decision for the Windhoek Municipality to participate in the SAIMSA games is rooted in broader organizational objectives, extending beyond mere recreation. He emphasized that these regional sports events are designed to foster employee wellness, cultivate teamwork, facilitate relationship-building, and enable networking and interaction among municipal personnel and officials from various regional entities. Such engagements, he argued, contribute significantly to enhanced cooperation, improved employee morale, effective communication, and stronger institutional relationships.

The City of Windhoek maintains that employee wellness is an integral component of its overarching goals, asserting that involvement in sports can stimulate physical activity, mitigate lifestyle-related health risks, and bolster team cohesion and morale. Akwenye further clarified that the final composition of the SAIMSA games Windhoek delegation, including the precise number of employees and councillors, remains subject to established approval processes and concluding arrangements. He assured that employees would not be released in a manner that jeopardizes essential municipal services, with departments expected to implement operational plans to ensure service continuity throughout the games. The municipality is also engaging relevant authorities to secure necessary approvals for international travel, confirming adherence to applicable directives governing travel outside Namibia.

The planned N$3.3 million expenditure by the Windhoek Municipality has ignited a Windhoek municipal spending controversy, particularly given the municipality's declared N$300 million annual funding shortfall. This financial context has prompted questions regarding the appropriateness of such significant Namibia local government expenditure. Akwenye acknowledged the municipality's awareness of its financial standing and its commitment to the responsible management of public funds accountability Namibia. He stressed that the decision to participate in the SAIMSA games must be evaluated within the wider context of employee wellness, institutional development, and regional municipal cooperation, while also emphasizing the importance of achieving value for money.

Akwenye dismissed suggestions that the objectives of the SAIMSA games could be met through a local sporting event, explaining that the games are hosted rotationally by participating municipalities, thereby offering a regional platform that cannot be fully replicated domestically. The inclusion of 11 councillors in the delegation has also drawn scrutiny regarding the justification and associated costs of their participation. In response, Akwenye affirmed that all employees and councillors traveling as part of the official delegation would remain bound by municipal rules and codes of conduct, with the City ensuring full compliance with these regulations.

This article highlights potential public finance management and accountability issues within the Windhoek Municipality, signaling increased scrutiny on local government expenditure and compliance with financial regulations. Lawyers advising public entities should review internal spending policies and ensure robust oversight mechanisms are in place to mitigate reputational and legal risks.

Source: Original reporting via local media.