Maurice Kambukwe

After almost four months without electricity, all basic services are now fully functioning at Windhoek’s Independence stadium after the sports ministry managed to sort out payment with the City of Windhoek. As reported by this publication a few weeks ago, the Windhoek municipality had disconnected electricity at the 25 000-seat stadium due to unpaid bills, which the ministry admitted was caused by a delay in streamlining payments from their side. 

The disconnection affected the Namibia Schools Sport Union (NSSU), which operates from the Independence stadium. NSSU national coordinator Solly Duiker had to move the union’s operations to his residence. 

Upon fresh inspection by New Era Sport yesterday, general workers at the stadium said the electricity was restored over a week ago and that all basic services at the venue are now up and running. 

 “Yes, we now have electricity at the stadium after months without any power. It seems like they (ministry) sorted out the payment issues with the municipality. Activities are also back at the other offices here (NSSU) and that’s a good thing. We are all happy,” said one of the general workers. 

The Windhoek Independence stadium is one of the stadiums that is earmarked in Namibia’s joint bid with Botswana to host the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations. 

Currently, the Independence stadium, along with the Sam Nujoma stadium, are both still blacklisted by Fifa and Caf after they were declared unfit to host international football matches due to their putrefying state and outdated facilities. 

Their downgrading has since forced the country’s various national teams to play their international matches in South Africa and elsewhere.  

- mkambukwe@nepc.com.na