600 days later: San shacks remain toilet-less
A marginalised community in the Kavango West Region who received corrugated iron houses from government back in 2020 continues to turn to the bushes when nature calls because the state has failed to provide them with toilet facilities.
The 33 corrugated houses constructed to the tune of close to N$1 million were proudly handed over to the community by gender equality, poverty eradication and child welfare minister Doreen Sioka on 18 September 2020.
However, apart from the lack of toilets, a Namibian Sun visit to Nkurenkuru at the weekend revealed that the approximately 150 San people living there are desperate for better living conditions. Most are unemployed and families are forced to survive off the N$500 monthly grant they receive from the state.
With the unfavourable cold winter weather experienced across the country, Namibian Sun observed how some of the families are forced to sleep on thin mattresses or simply just blankets on cold cement floors.
Speaking on condition of anonymity out of fear of victimisation from higher authorities, one of the community members narrated how they have been living in the area since September 2020.
Lack of toilets
Since they received the shacks, it was promised that they would receive toilets in the near future due to budgetary constraints at the time, the community member said.
At the handing-over ceremony, Sioka revealed that her ministry collaborated with the Office of the Prime Minister, which approved N$500 000 for the construction of the houses.
More funds were availed as the materials amounted to close to N$500 000 and labour costs totalled N$369 000.
At the time, Namibian Sun raised questions over the lack of ablution facilities, to which authorities said funds would be made available and toilets constructed in due time.
In fact, Sioka acknowledged the absence of toilets and described the community as living in a desperate situation, having to relieve themselves in the veld.
Fast forward 610 days later, and the community is still without toilet facilities.
“We do not have toilets as you can see. We are forced to go to the bushes and just imagine at night how scared we are because it’s dark and snakes are everywhere here,” a community member said.
Lack of electricity
At the time of the hand-over, it was announced that the Northern Regional Electricity Distributor (Nored) would electrify the 33 homes before June 2021; however, at the weekend, there was still no electricity installed.
A community member revealed that one of them was recently stabbed by criminals who visit the area at night. The victim survived the knife attack.
All these and other challenges are listed in a letter to Nkurenkuru constituency councillor, Fillepas Tenga, dated 26 August 2021.
“Our complaints here at the San location is the lack of toilets, electricity, gravel road and a kindergarten,” the letter read.
“We thank you for what you did for us [constructing houses], but you left out a lot of things...”
Tenga confirmed receipt of the letter, but said the community falls under the gender ministry.
Meanwhile, as the community resides within the boundaries of the Nkurenkuru town council, some have argued that the local authority is failing to provide much-needed services.
When contacted for comment, Nkurenkuru CEO Petrus Sindimba could not say why council has not provided the San community with basic services apart from the free water they have access to.
He, however, said there was a recent virtual meeting between various stakeholders to address the challenges faced by the community.
“Because I am not in the office now to give you exactly what was discussed in the meeting all I can say that there are things in the pipeline to address that issue,” he said.
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The 33 corrugated houses constructed to the tune of close to N$1 million were proudly handed over to the community by gender equality, poverty eradication and child welfare minister Doreen Sioka on 18 September 2020.
However, apart from the lack of toilets, a Namibian Sun visit to Nkurenkuru at the weekend revealed that the approximately 150 San people living there are desperate for better living conditions. Most are unemployed and families are forced to survive off the N$500 monthly grant they receive from the state.
With the unfavourable cold winter weather experienced across the country, Namibian Sun observed how some of the families are forced to sleep on thin mattresses or simply just blankets on cold cement floors.
Speaking on condition of anonymity out of fear of victimisation from higher authorities, one of the community members narrated how they have been living in the area since September 2020.
Lack of toilets
Since they received the shacks, it was promised that they would receive toilets in the near future due to budgetary constraints at the time, the community member said.
At the handing-over ceremony, Sioka revealed that her ministry collaborated with the Office of the Prime Minister, which approved N$500 000 for the construction of the houses.
More funds were availed as the materials amounted to close to N$500 000 and labour costs totalled N$369 000.
At the time, Namibian Sun raised questions over the lack of ablution facilities, to which authorities said funds would be made available and toilets constructed in due time.
In fact, Sioka acknowledged the absence of toilets and described the community as living in a desperate situation, having to relieve themselves in the veld.
Fast forward 610 days later, and the community is still without toilet facilities.
“We do not have toilets as you can see. We are forced to go to the bushes and just imagine at night how scared we are because it’s dark and snakes are everywhere here,” a community member said.
Lack of electricity
At the time of the hand-over, it was announced that the Northern Regional Electricity Distributor (Nored) would electrify the 33 homes before June 2021; however, at the weekend, there was still no electricity installed.
A community member revealed that one of them was recently stabbed by criminals who visit the area at night. The victim survived the knife attack.
All these and other challenges are listed in a letter to Nkurenkuru constituency councillor, Fillepas Tenga, dated 26 August 2021.
“Our complaints here at the San location is the lack of toilets, electricity, gravel road and a kindergarten,” the letter read.
“We thank you for what you did for us [constructing houses], but you left out a lot of things...”
Tenga confirmed receipt of the letter, but said the community falls under the gender ministry.
Meanwhile, as the community resides within the boundaries of the Nkurenkuru town council, some have argued that the local authority is failing to provide much-needed services.
When contacted for comment, Nkurenkuru CEO Petrus Sindimba could not say why council has not provided the San community with basic services apart from the free water they have access to.
He, however, said there was a recent virtual meeting between various stakeholders to address the challenges faced by the community.
“Because I am not in the office now to give you exactly what was discussed in the meeting all I can say that there are things in the pipeline to address that issue,” he said.
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