Cleanup Namibia

On Saturday, 19 September, the call to clean up Namibia became a powerful display of community spirit as residents, public figures, government representatives and volunteers came together in Goreangab, Windhoek, for the official Clean Up Namibia campaign day.

What began as a call to action quickly became a day filled with energy, purpose and a shared sense of responsibility. Communities came out in numbers, rolling up their sleeves and getting to work to clear litter and illegal dumping sites, proving that meaningful change can start with something as simple as taking responsibility for the space around us.

The day was given added significance by the presence of the Honourable Prime Minister of Namibia, Elijah Ngurare, who joined residents on the ground and took part in the clean-up. The Prime Minister highlighted the connection between responsible waste management and the challenges communities face, including the increasing presence of baboons attracted by exposed food waste in areas such as Goreangab and Havana.

The morning brought together a broad group of participants, including the National Youth Service, Namibian Defence Force, City of Windhoek, government officials and community members. The effort extended beyond simply collecting rubbish, with the campaign calling for a longer-term shift towards civic pride, responsible waste disposal and collective action.

At the heart of the day was a simple but important message: keeping Namibia clean is everyone’s responsibility.

The campaign was also supported by Namibian personalities and public figures, including its founder, Dr LaToya “Lioness” Mwoombola-Hamutenya, who encouraged Namibians to take action wherever they find themselves. The campaign forms part of a wider effort to build environmental awareness and encourage communities to take ownership of their surroundings.

And perhaps the most encouraging sight of the day was the people themselves, families, young people, volunteers and community members working side by side. There was no distinction between who should clean and who should simply watch. Everyone had a role to play.

For a country as vast and diverse as Namibia, the challenge of keeping communities clean cannot rest with one organisation, one government department or one campaign. It requires all of us.

Saturday’s turnout showed what is possible when a community comes together around a common purpose. More than a clean-up, it was a reminder that the places we call home are shaped by the choices we make every day. The movement has taken flight. Now, the challenge is to keep it moving, one street, one neighbourhood and one community at a time.