An ambitious housing development programme called the Cuvelai Special Housing Scheme Fund was launched on last Friday in Keetmanshoop.
With a five-year vision to construct 100 000 affordable homes nationwide, the fund has commenced its first phase, which targets the delivery of 10 000 housing units, including 2 142 homes earmarked specifically for Keetmanshoop.
Established to help close the national housing backlog estimated at between 300 000 and 500 000 units, the Cuvelai Special Housing Scheme is a transformative initiative designed to provide dignified, affordable housing to underserved groups. These include members of the armed forces, teachers, nurses, civil servants and workers in the informal sector. Officiating the launch, Deputy Minister of Urban and Rural Development Evelyn !Nawases-Taeyele highlighted government’s full support for the programme.
She noted its alignment with the revised National Housing Policy, which promotes inclusivity, affordability, sustainability and robust partnerships.
“This initiative mobilises long-term institutional capital to create sustainable housing solutions for underserved communities,” she said.
“Through a collaborative and participatory approach, we can achieve broad-based access to decent housing,” she added. !Nawases-Taeyele commended the Keetmanshoop Municipality for allocating land for more than 2 000 units and urged other local authorities across the country to follow suit. She reaffirmed the ministry’s readiness to work closely with Cuvelai and its partners to accelerate the delivery of affordable homes in all regions. Welcoming attendees, governor of the //Kharas region Dawid Gertze expressed pride that Keetmanshoop had been chosen as a priority development zone.
“This is not just a housing project. This is about restoring dignity, creating jobs and revitalising our regional economy,” he said.
“At its peak, this development will generate more than 2 000 direct and indirect jobs. Today, Keetmanshoop becomes a symbol of opportunity and renewal,” he added. The governor reaffirmed the region’s readiness to fully support the rollout and encouraged residents and stakeholders to embrace the initiative as a catalyst for long-term socioeconomic transformation.
Representing the Government Institutions Pension Fund (GIPF), Edwin Tjiramba, general manager: marketing and stakeholder engagement, underscored the synergy between the Cuvelai housing model and the Pension-Backed Home Loan Scheme (PBHLS), which launches nationally on 12 January 2026. “What good is the ability to access part of your pension for a home if affordable houses do not exist?” he asked. “This is where the Cuvelai Special Housing Scheme becomes truly transformational,” he added. GIPF has previously invested N$2.2 billion in housing and serviced land. The company has allocated N$900 million for the initial rollout of the PBHLS. Cuvelai’s home pricing, at N$250 000 for a two-bedroom unit, N$350 000 for a three-bedroom unit and N$400 000 for a four-bedroom unit, falls directly within the affordability ranges accessible to GIPF members.
Together, GIPF and Cuvelai provide a bridge between financing and availability, unlocking dignity and homeownership for thousands of Namibians. Speaking at the event, Cuvelai CEO Seija Amaambo reflected on the human impact of housing.
“A home is not just a structure. It is dignity, security and belonging,” she said. “When you give a family a home, you give them the foundation to dream, grow and stand tall. This initiative exists to ensure that no child grows up feeling homeless in their own country,” she stated.
She reiterated Cuvelai’s mission to connect capital with communities, supported by a multidisciplinary team of experts in engineering, town planning, architecture, finance, surveying and housing development. In closing, the executive chairperson of Cuvelai Baronice Hans expressed appreciation to all partners, noting that the initiative is made possible only through shared commitment.
Hans emphasised President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah’s national commitment to deliver 50 000 houses across the country in five years, underscoring that the Cuvelai Special Housing Scheme is a direct and practical response to that call for action.
“Our President has set a clear and ambitious target: to build 50 000 houses across Namibia. This is not just a statistic. It is a call to fundamentally change the lives of our people. The Cuvelai Special Housing Scheme stands as our concrete contribution to this vision, aligning our work with the national agenda,” said Hans. She highlighted that housing remains at the heart of the President’s developmental vision.
“The plight of housing is central to Her Excellency’s mission. It is a mission grounded in dignity, security and opportunity for every Namibian family. Today’s launch demonstrates that when leadership sets direction, it is our responsibility to deliver the results,” she added. Hans reaffirmed the fund’s commitment to investing in the project, supported by mortgage and home-loan providers, including 20Twenty Financial Solutions Mortgage Company, First Capital Namibia, Kuleni Financial Services, and others.
“As the saying goes, a tree cannot stand without its roots. Today, we honour the roots, our partners, our communities and our shared purpose that make this vision possible,” she concluded.