Namibia: City Sounds Alarm Over Angolan Street Kids

The City of Windhoek has raised urgent child protection and law enforcement concerns over groups of migrant Angolan children who have been living, trading and begging on the capital city streets for the past three years.

The issue took centre stage at the recent ordinary council meeting, where council member Ignatius Semba tabled a formal motion to address the growing crisis.

While the children, who are frequently spotted at busy intersections, shopping malls, and public arenas alongside some adults, initially arrived selling traditional wooden items, authorities note they have largely stopped trading and now actively solicit money, food, and basic aid from passing motorists and pedestrians.

Windhoek Mayor Sakarias Uunona disclosed that the municipal council has collaborated with cross-sector stakeholders to repatriate the children and accompanying adults back to Angola on multiple occasions.

However, the mayor emphasised that many have repeatedly crossed back into Namibia to resume street life, proving that the humanitarian challenge stretches far beyond basic law enforcement and requires a deeply unified, multi-stakeholder intervention.

"A key concern is that children are often accompanied by parents or guardians, who remain nearby while sending them to beg from the public. In some cases, any money or food received is taken by the adults, raising serious concerns about the welfare and potential exploitation of these vulnerable children," he said.

The City has identified several driving forces behind this persistent trend, highlighting that cash donations from members of the public are a primary driver.

While these handouts stem from a place of goodwill, the practice inadvertently creates a financial incentive that encourages children to stay on the streets rather than seek out formal aid channels, said Uunona.

Consequently, the ongoing presence of these minors at busy public intersections has escalated local anxieties, triggering significant safety hazards for the children in traffic and growing public nuisance complaints from residents and motorists.

"Reports include persistent begging, blocked sidewalks, interference with traffic, and loitering near businesses. Motorists are often approached at intersections, increasing accident risks, with some children already injured in such incidents. Businesses have also reported customer complaints and potential impacts on trade while littering, and waste buildup adds pressure on municipal services," Uunona added.

The most affected areas include key intersections, shopping centres, the central busines