NANTU demands fairness in Oranjemund housing allocations
The Namibia National Teachers Union (NANTU) has called for inclusivity and justice in the distribution of low-cost houses being built by the Oranjemund Town Council (OTC).
NANTU branch coordinator, Prudence Malipa, expressed disappointment with the allocation of the first 56 low-cost houses recently handed over by OTC.
“It is discouraging that no single teacher and no person from the Zambezi region received a house. We ask that the houses be fairly allocated and request transparency on the procedures and criteria used for the allocation process.
"The teachers believe they deserve equal opportunities, especially given the unique circumstances of the town,” Malipa emphasised.
OTC acting CEO, Festus Nekayi, explained during the handover ceremony on 3 September that a housing committee had been established earlier this year to guide the allocation process.
“The criteria we used include fire-prone areas, good municipal payers, persons with disabilities, council staff and community diversity,” he said.
Serious challenges
According to Malipa, there are about 30 teachers at Garibams Secondary School and Ambrosius Amutenya Primary School in Oranjemund who have no accommodation.
“Teachers are facing serious challenges related to housing. Many are forced to constantly move from one residence to another after they were evicted from the Namdeb properties they occupied. It seems that the focus is always on supporting the children while neglecting the needs of teachers,” she said.
She added that the housing crisis was directly affecting education in the town.
“This situation shows a lack of respect and dignity for educators. The absence of adequate housing affects not only the teachers’ welfare but also the stability and quality of education in Oranjemund. An unhappy teacher is a less productive teacher,” Malipa further said.
Malipa further pointed out that the contribution of teachers was being overlooked.
Never considered
“It is disheartening that Namdeb provided the only high school infrastructure in 2020 and that housing for teachers was never considered. We celebrated five years of existence this year, and despite this, no teachers’ accommodation has been provided.”
She said NANTU had raised the issue repeatedly with community leaders and the ministry, but without results.
“Unfortunately no tangible steps have been taken. The teachers organised a demonstration in 2021, and the issues they raised remain unaddressed to this day, despite the awareness among our leaders and relevant ministries.”
Malipa called on leaders to refrain from making discriminatory, tribal, or regional remarks when discussing issues affecting teachers, such as housing.
“For example, remarks like, ‘Why should they come and work so far from their hometowns if they don’t have accommodation?’ should be discontinued. We are Namibians, and we have the right to settle wherever we choose.”
NANTU branch coordinator, Prudence Malipa, expressed disappointment with the allocation of the first 56 low-cost houses recently handed over by OTC.
“It is discouraging that no single teacher and no person from the Zambezi region received a house. We ask that the houses be fairly allocated and request transparency on the procedures and criteria used for the allocation process.
"The teachers believe they deserve equal opportunities, especially given the unique circumstances of the town,” Malipa emphasised.
OTC acting CEO, Festus Nekayi, explained during the handover ceremony on 3 September that a housing committee had been established earlier this year to guide the allocation process.
“The criteria we used include fire-prone areas, good municipal payers, persons with disabilities, council staff and community diversity,” he said.
Serious challenges
According to Malipa, there are about 30 teachers at Garibams Secondary School and Ambrosius Amutenya Primary School in Oranjemund who have no accommodation.
“Teachers are facing serious challenges related to housing. Many are forced to constantly move from one residence to another after they were evicted from the Namdeb properties they occupied. It seems that the focus is always on supporting the children while neglecting the needs of teachers,” she said.
She added that the housing crisis was directly affecting education in the town.
“This situation shows a lack of respect and dignity for educators. The absence of adequate housing affects not only the teachers’ welfare but also the stability and quality of education in Oranjemund. An unhappy teacher is a less productive teacher,” Malipa further said.
Malipa further pointed out that the contribution of teachers was being overlooked.
Never considered
“It is disheartening that Namdeb provided the only high school infrastructure in 2020 and that housing for teachers was never considered. We celebrated five years of existence this year, and despite this, no teachers’ accommodation has been provided.”
She said NANTU had raised the issue repeatedly with community leaders and the ministry, but without results.
“Unfortunately no tangible steps have been taken. The teachers organised a demonstration in 2021, and the issues they raised remain unaddressed to this day, despite the awareness among our leaders and relevant ministries.”
Malipa called on leaders to refrain from making discriminatory, tribal, or regional remarks when discussing issues affecting teachers, such as housing.
“For example, remarks like, ‘Why should they come and work so far from their hometowns if they don’t have accommodation?’ should be discontinued. We are Namibians, and we have the right to settle wherever we choose.”
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