Govt vows action as Angolan street children crisis deepens
Observers have described their living conditions as a “humanitarian disaster in plain sight.
The plight of hundreds of Angolan street children scattered across Windhoek and other Namibian towns has reached crisis levels – yet for months, government ministries appeared locked in silence while the children continued to fend for themselves.
Seen daily at traffic lights and shopping centres, the children – some as young as six – sell wooden items or beg for money to survive.
Their living conditions have been described by observers as a “humanitarian disaster in plain sight.”
Rights advocates say the government’s lack of urgency amounts to neglect.
“These are vulnerable children sleeping on pavements while ministries point fingers. This inaction is shameful,” said one Windhoek-based social worker.
After weeks of public concern and media inquiries, the Ministry of Home Affairs, Immigration, Safety and Security (MHAISS) has confirmed that it is “intensifying intervention measures” to address the growing presence of Angolan children in Windhoek and other urban centres.
Root cause
In a written response to the Namibian Sun late Tuesday, Executive Director Nghidinua Daniel said the ministry – alongside other government agencies and Angolan authorities – is working on both short- and long-term solutions.
“The Ministry of Home Affairs, Immigration, Safety and Security and other relevant ministries and agencies have been engaging and working out modalities to effectively deal with the presence of Angolan nationals – most of whom are children – in the streets of Windhoek and other urban areas,” Daniel stated.
He added that in May last year, the Namibian government, through home affairs and partner institutions, and in collaboration with the Angolan authorities, facilitated the repatriation of 74 Angolan children and several adults, who were safely reunited with their families in Angola.
“This collaborative action ensured a safe and dignified repatriation of the people concerned in accordance with international and national laws,” he said.
However, Daniel expressed concern that many of those same children have since returned to Namibia, once again taking to the streets.
“It is noted with concern that the same group or numbers of children and adults are again visible in streets and other places in various urban centres. In this connection, we are intensifying our intervention measures aimed at establishing the root causes as well as a remedial plan of action,” he said.
Failed reintegration efforts
The recent resurgence echoes events from last year, when immigration officials rounded up about 200 Angolan children from the Oshana, Erongo, Khomas and Oshikoto regions, placing them at a facility in northern Namibia. Of those, 120 were repatriated to Angola, while the remainder stayed behind.
At the time, deputy minister Lucia Witbooi announced that Cabinet had approved N$2.8 million to upgrade the facility to improve living conditions, but tensions later erupted, prompting many of the children to leave the centre and return to the streets – effectively collapsing the reintegration effort.
Daniel confirmed ongoing bilateral engagements with the Angolan government through diplomatic channels, including its embassy and consulates in Namibia, to ensure the welfare, protection and possible repatriation or rehabilitation of the children.
He added that a national task team consisting of various Namibian institutions – covering immigration, child welfare, safety and security, international relations, and regional and local governments – is crafting a coordinated response.
Call for urgency
Despite these assurances, the situation on the ground remains largely unchanged.
The children continue to roam the streets, exposed to hunger, harsh weather and exploitation.
Lawyer Kadhila Amoomo, who has long called for accountability, warned that the crisis could worsen if left unaddressed.
“These young Angolan people are economic refugees. Their numbers are growing every day. Imagine if two million of them flood into Namibia – how will they get along with our children? Will we have enough resources to cater for them? Let’s deal with this humanitarian crisis while it’s still early,” he said.
While it remains unclear whether all the children indeed originate from Angola, one fact is certain — urgent, coordinated intervention is needed to end a humanitarian crisis unfolding in full public view.
Seen daily at traffic lights and shopping centres, the children – some as young as six – sell wooden items or beg for money to survive.
Their living conditions have been described by observers as a “humanitarian disaster in plain sight.”
Rights advocates say the government’s lack of urgency amounts to neglect.
“These are vulnerable children sleeping on pavements while ministries point fingers. This inaction is shameful,” said one Windhoek-based social worker.
After weeks of public concern and media inquiries, the Ministry of Home Affairs, Immigration, Safety and Security (MHAISS) has confirmed that it is “intensifying intervention measures” to address the growing presence of Angolan children in Windhoek and other urban centres.
Root cause
In a written response to the Namibian Sun late Tuesday, Executive Director Nghidinua Daniel said the ministry – alongside other government agencies and Angolan authorities – is working on both short- and long-term solutions.
“The Ministry of Home Affairs, Immigration, Safety and Security and other relevant ministries and agencies have been engaging and working out modalities to effectively deal with the presence of Angolan nationals – most of whom are children – in the streets of Windhoek and other urban areas,” Daniel stated.
He added that in May last year, the Namibian government, through home affairs and partner institutions, and in collaboration with the Angolan authorities, facilitated the repatriation of 74 Angolan children and several adults, who were safely reunited with their families in Angola.
“This collaborative action ensured a safe and dignified repatriation of the people concerned in accordance with international and national laws,” he said.
However, Daniel expressed concern that many of those same children have since returned to Namibia, once again taking to the streets.
“It is noted with concern that the same group or numbers of children and adults are again visible in streets and other places in various urban centres. In this connection, we are intensifying our intervention measures aimed at establishing the root causes as well as a remedial plan of action,” he said.
Failed reintegration efforts
The recent resurgence echoes events from last year, when immigration officials rounded up about 200 Angolan children from the Oshana, Erongo, Khomas and Oshikoto regions, placing them at a facility in northern Namibia. Of those, 120 were repatriated to Angola, while the remainder stayed behind.
At the time, deputy minister Lucia Witbooi announced that Cabinet had approved N$2.8 million to upgrade the facility to improve living conditions, but tensions later erupted, prompting many of the children to leave the centre and return to the streets – effectively collapsing the reintegration effort.
Daniel confirmed ongoing bilateral engagements with the Angolan government through diplomatic channels, including its embassy and consulates in Namibia, to ensure the welfare, protection and possible repatriation or rehabilitation of the children.
He added that a national task team consisting of various Namibian institutions – covering immigration, child welfare, safety and security, international relations, and regional and local governments – is crafting a coordinated response.
Call for urgency
Despite these assurances, the situation on the ground remains largely unchanged.
The children continue to roam the streets, exposed to hunger, harsh weather and exploitation.
Lawyer Kadhila Amoomo, who has long called for accountability, warned that the crisis could worsen if left unaddressed.
“These young Angolan people are economic refugees. Their numbers are growing every day. Imagine if two million of them flood into Namibia – how will they get along with our children? Will we have enough resources to cater for them? Let’s deal with this humanitarian crisis while it’s still early,” he said.
While it remains unclear whether all the children indeed originate from Angola, one fact is certain — urgent, coordinated intervention is needed to end a humanitarian crisis unfolding in full public view.
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