Discontent over slow pace of Groot Aub development
Half of around 15 000 residents unemployed
Community activists have voiced a range of frustrations and concerns over the City of Windhoek's management of Groot Aub.
Augetto Graig
Groot Aub
The development of Groot Aub came to an abrupt halt after the settlement was placed under the management of the City of Windhoek in September 2017.
This was stated in a petition released on Saturday by community activist Cicel Titus on behalf of Groot Aub residents.
With the support of fellow activists Edward Gaingob and Shikomba Shikomba, Titus voiced the community’s dissatisfaction with what they describe as the municipality’s unilateral approach to developing the settlement.
Residents say they are particularly unhappy about the location of temporary container offices, which the City of Windhoek placed in front of the settlement’s largest retailers, claiming it spoils the main street. They are also concerned that the municipality may eventually impose rates and taxes on the economically disadvantaged community.
Another concern is that plots could be subdivided into smaller portions, with unaffordable rental agreements imposed on homes where families have lived for decades. This, residents warn, could lead to property seizures if payments cannot be met.
According to Titus, residents of Groot Aub also lack title deeds to prove home ownership.
Poverty and fears
Up to 50% of Groot Aub’s roughly 15 000 residents are jobless, with many households reliant on state pensions from older family members, Titus said.
In addition, half of the settlement’s households do not have piped water.
The City of Windhoek must also purchase electricity at high cost from NamPower, raising community concerns that these expenses could be passed on to residents. There are no tarred roads in Groot Aub, and promises to pave them remain unfulfilled, residents say.
Residents also referred to Windhoek councillor Ivan Skrywer, chairperson of the advisory committee for the formalisation of informal settlements, who is responsible for overseeing Groot Aub’s integration.
“Ivan Skrywer does not even live here, so he is not relevant for Groot Aub because he does not know our struggles,” said Shikomba.
“We are not fighting against development, but what is happening here is not right,” he added. “We see City of Windhoek officials coming here and there to take measurements, but we don’t know what for.”
Big responsibility
Skrywer told this publication that the decision to include Groot Aub within the capital’s boundaries was made by central government. “Now there is a legal obligation on the City of Windhoek to facilitate the integration,” he said.
Skrywer added that Windhoek is making progress, although the influx of people into Groot Aub after the proclamation has put pressure on the local authority.
The approximately 900 plots in the formal part of Groot Aub are gradually being supplied with prepaid water and electricity, while the growing informal section of the settlement is also being surveyed, he noted.He confirmed that the municipality is in the process of taking over NamPower’s electricity infrastructure and expects Groot Aub to be transformed into a business hub as integration progresses.
Regarding the container municipal offices, Skrywer said it is necessary to bring services closer to the community. All municipal services will be available in Groot Aub once the office becomes fully operational in a month or two.
A permanent office will eventually replace the containers, he said.– [email protected]
Groot Aub
The development of Groot Aub came to an abrupt halt after the settlement was placed under the management of the City of Windhoek in September 2017.
This was stated in a petition released on Saturday by community activist Cicel Titus on behalf of Groot Aub residents.
With the support of fellow activists Edward Gaingob and Shikomba Shikomba, Titus voiced the community’s dissatisfaction with what they describe as the municipality’s unilateral approach to developing the settlement.
Residents say they are particularly unhappy about the location of temporary container offices, which the City of Windhoek placed in front of the settlement’s largest retailers, claiming it spoils the main street. They are also concerned that the municipality may eventually impose rates and taxes on the economically disadvantaged community.
Another concern is that plots could be subdivided into smaller portions, with unaffordable rental agreements imposed on homes where families have lived for decades. This, residents warn, could lead to property seizures if payments cannot be met.
According to Titus, residents of Groot Aub also lack title deeds to prove home ownership.
Poverty and fears
Up to 50% of Groot Aub’s roughly 15 000 residents are jobless, with many households reliant on state pensions from older family members, Titus said.
In addition, half of the settlement’s households do not have piped water.
The City of Windhoek must also purchase electricity at high cost from NamPower, raising community concerns that these expenses could be passed on to residents. There are no tarred roads in Groot Aub, and promises to pave them remain unfulfilled, residents say.
Residents also referred to Windhoek councillor Ivan Skrywer, chairperson of the advisory committee for the formalisation of informal settlements, who is responsible for overseeing Groot Aub’s integration.
“Ivan Skrywer does not even live here, so he is not relevant for Groot Aub because he does not know our struggles,” said Shikomba.
“We are not fighting against development, but what is happening here is not right,” he added. “We see City of Windhoek officials coming here and there to take measurements, but we don’t know what for.”
Big responsibility
Skrywer told this publication that the decision to include Groot Aub within the capital’s boundaries was made by central government. “Now there is a legal obligation on the City of Windhoek to facilitate the integration,” he said.
Skrywer added that Windhoek is making progress, although the influx of people into Groot Aub after the proclamation has put pressure on the local authority.
The approximately 900 plots in the formal part of Groot Aub are gradually being supplied with prepaid water and electricity, while the growing informal section of the settlement is also being surveyed, he noted.He confirmed that the municipality is in the process of taking over NamPower’s electricity infrastructure and expects Groot Aub to be transformed into a business hub as integration progresses.
Regarding the container municipal offices, Skrywer said it is necessary to bring services closer to the community. All municipal services will be available in Groot Aub once the office becomes fully operational in a month or two.
A permanent office will eventually replace the containers, he said.– [email protected]
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