32 houses handed over at Swakopmund
Organisations join forces to deliver housing
Members of the Shack Dwellers Federation of Namibia became homeowners this week when 32 houses were handed over in Swakopmund.
Thirty-two houses were handed over to members of the Shack Dwellers Federation of Namibia (SDFN) in Swakopmund this week.
The federation has joined forces with Ohorongo Cement, the FNB Namibia Foundation and the Pupkewitz Foundation in support of poverty eradication and to provide housing to low-income families.
Sixteen of the houses were funded by the ministry of urban and rural development, one by Standard Bank for its non-clerical staff and 15 others through the Twahangana Fund, which is supported by the ministry, Standard Bank, FNB, Pupkewitz Foundation, Ohorongo Cement and MTC/Huawei.
Speaking at the occasion, urban and rural development minister Erastus Uutoni said his ministry believes in and will continue to support the work of community-based organisations such as the SDFN, who have demonstrated their commitment and ability to contribute to the national drive towards providing affordable housing and proper sanitation to Namibian people - especially those in ultra-low and low-income categories.
“The SDFN’s solution to housing is unique and worth supporting in that it is a case of the community itself taking action to address its own developmental needs. This is a clear testimony of sustainable and people-centred development, and I hereby pledge our continued support.”
Backlog
Erongo governor Neville Andre - in a speech delivered on his behalf by chairperson of the Erongo regional council Benitha Imbamba - said he was impressed by how the SDFN goes about complementing government's efforts to construct housing for low-income groups.
He pointed out that Swakopmund has a housing backlog of over 22 000 houses and extended his appreciation to the municipality for providing land and coordinating development in the town.
Thomas Shipili, a Swakopmund-based member of the SDFN’s Dankie saving group, said he joined in 2011.
"I was inspired by how my fellow members were taking charge of their development.
"On a national level, the SDFN is a network of saving groups in Namibia organised into more than 916 groups with over 28 000 members countrywide, where each group manages its saving account.
“We have saved over N$32.5 million and we have built more than 7 000 houses in our country,” he said.
“In Erongo, more than 206 SDFN groups are established, where 6 558 members have saved over N$10.7 million. In the past six months, these members have saved over N$540 000.
“The SDFN has constructed 714 houses in the region,” Shipili said, thanking government for availing funds to the federation to enable its members to construct houses.
He further encouraged the council to allocate more land, saying this will help get rid of shacks in Swakopmund.
The federation has joined forces with Ohorongo Cement, the FNB Namibia Foundation and the Pupkewitz Foundation in support of poverty eradication and to provide housing to low-income families.
Sixteen of the houses were funded by the ministry of urban and rural development, one by Standard Bank for its non-clerical staff and 15 others through the Twahangana Fund, which is supported by the ministry, Standard Bank, FNB, Pupkewitz Foundation, Ohorongo Cement and MTC/Huawei.
Speaking at the occasion, urban and rural development minister Erastus Uutoni said his ministry believes in and will continue to support the work of community-based organisations such as the SDFN, who have demonstrated their commitment and ability to contribute to the national drive towards providing affordable housing and proper sanitation to Namibian people - especially those in ultra-low and low-income categories.
“The SDFN’s solution to housing is unique and worth supporting in that it is a case of the community itself taking action to address its own developmental needs. This is a clear testimony of sustainable and people-centred development, and I hereby pledge our continued support.”
Backlog
Erongo governor Neville Andre - in a speech delivered on his behalf by chairperson of the Erongo regional council Benitha Imbamba - said he was impressed by how the SDFN goes about complementing government's efforts to construct housing for low-income groups.
He pointed out that Swakopmund has a housing backlog of over 22 000 houses and extended his appreciation to the municipality for providing land and coordinating development in the town.
Thomas Shipili, a Swakopmund-based member of the SDFN’s Dankie saving group, said he joined in 2011.
"I was inspired by how my fellow members were taking charge of their development.
"On a national level, the SDFN is a network of saving groups in Namibia organised into more than 916 groups with over 28 000 members countrywide, where each group manages its saving account.
“We have saved over N$32.5 million and we have built more than 7 000 houses in our country,” he said.
“In Erongo, more than 206 SDFN groups are established, where 6 558 members have saved over N$10.7 million. In the past six months, these members have saved over N$540 000.
“The SDFN has constructed 714 houses in the region,” Shipili said, thanking government for availing funds to the federation to enable its members to construct houses.
He further encouraged the council to allocate more land, saying this will help get rid of shacks in Swakopmund.
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