Bernard Kavau on youth rural to urban migration
June 6, 2025
A troubling trend continues to grip our capital: thousands of young people are leaving their rural homes and flocking to Windhoek in hopes of finding jobs, opportunities, and a better life. But for most, that dream quickly turns into survival in overcrowded informal settlements, struggling with unemployment, high service costs, and the constant pressure of urban poverty.
According to official data, 75% of young rural migrants give up job-hunting after a year. Windhoek’s informal settlements have tripled since 2011, and nearly half of all Khomas households now live in shacks.
Joining us to unpack this reality is youth activist Bernard Kavau, who has been working with youth networks across the country and advocating for economic justice and decentralised development. We ask: Is Windhoek really the promised land—or have we failed our young people at both ends of the migration chain?
