Flood victims relocated to Farm 508 face challenges but show resilience

Hundreds of families relocated to Farm 508 have settled in and are rebuilding their lives after the devastating flash floods that struck parts of Windhoek in early January. The relocation site, located in the Goreangab area behind Okapale, has become a temporary home for displaced residents seeking shelter and stability. The City of Windhoek began the relocation on 4 January 2025, and 229 people have since moved to Farm 508.“We are grateful to be here, but the City of Windhoek must really make plans and bring a mobile clinic,” said Wilhelmina Mugunda, a community leader at Farm 508. “The need for a clinic is very urgent. We have people who are sick and need to visit the clinic but cannot go due to the distance.”A new school beginsOne of the brighter developments at Farm 508 is the opening of the Goreangab Project School, operational for nearly six weeks. It caters to learners from pre-primary to Grade 7 and has quickly become a symbol of hope for the newly relocated children. The school currently accommodates 240 learners with a staff of 10 teachers.Principal Lea Iyambo described the daily challenges faced by both staff and learners.“I have to park my car at Havana Primary and take a taxi to school. By the end of the day, I spend close to N$100 just for transport,” she explained. “One cannot drive this road with a small car; it really is bad.”The school also faces environmental hazards such as snakes and scorpions, and many learners arrive hungry. “We are really trying to open a soup kitchen for the children who come hungry and would like to get any help just to serve a meal,” said Iyambo.Two parents volunteer daily to clean the school’s toilets — a gesture deeply appreciated by the staff.Water access and sanitation efforts underwayAccording to Mugunda, residents currently have access to water, though not all homes are connected. “The water is free for now,” she said. “But the City of Windhoek said once everyone is relocated, given land and their house number, we will have to get the water card and start buying it.”Temporary toilets have been installed by the municipality, but electricity remains a challenge. “We were told it might take a bit longer, maybe later this year or next year,” Mugunda said.City of Windhoek spokesperson Harold Akwenye confirmed that the area is still unserviced and awaiting formalisation. Full electrification is not yet feasible, but the city is exploring interim solutions. “The City has considered and discussed the installation of high-mast lighting as an interim safety measure. This initiative is aimed at enhancing security within the community while broader infrastructure planning is ongoing,” he said.Transport and safety remain concernsTransportation costs remain high for residents. A taxi ride from Havana 4-Way or Okapale to Farm 508 costs up to N$75, prompting calls for a bus stop, improved roads, and street lights.Akwenye noted that the city is aware of these concerns and is developing temporary solutions. “The City is reviewing possible interim interventions to improve access, particularly for emergency services and public transport providers, while more permanent solutions are being considered under future development phases,” he said.Security guards have been deployed to the area to prevent land grabbing as the community expands.Mugunda also took Namibian Sun journalists to the proposed sites for a mobile clinic and a police station — clear signs of hope and planning for a more structured future.As Farm 508 continues to grow, residents remain hopeful that their needs will be addressed and that the support from both the government and the wider community will help them rebuild their lives.

Flood victims relocated to Farm 508 face challenges but show resilience

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Namibian Sun 2026-03-24

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Flood victims relocated to Farm 508 face challenges but show resilience

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Namibian Sun 2026-03-24

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