Prepaid water for Havana residents
After 20 years of using communal taps
The prepaid meters – which will allow residents to buy water based on their consumption – will help them steer clear of further debt while keeping track of their consumption per month, the Windhoek mayor said.
Residents of Havana informal settlement in Windhoek yesterday received prepaid water meters from the City of Windhoek. This comes after over 20 years of using communal taps.
According to community representative and founder of the Ipelegeng Bomme group, Kerubine Makabanyane, this is a relief for the Havana community and especially the residents of Mariental street, who will be first to benefit.
"This word 'Ipelegeng Bomme' in Setswana means ‘mothers should carry them on their backs’. We waited so long for this water.
The project in its first phase started in 2001, so we waited 21 years for this.
“The community survived off of communal taps but the one who waits is the one who will succeed," she said during a thanksgiving speech.
Avoid further debt
During her keynote address, Windhoek mayor Sade Gawanas stressed that the prepaid meters – which will allow residents to buy water based on their consumption - will help them steer clear of further debt while keeping track of their consumption per month.
"It is very important to take note that council made the write-off of debt conditional that the existing conventional meters are converted to pre-paid water meters.
“This is to ensure control over consumption and that residents do not fall back into debt."
Community members will now be able to buy as much water as they need without having to worry about being left without the resource.
Gawanas added that council has handed over the responsibility to residents and trusts they will take up the challenge.
"Water can be purchased from multiple external points, which are conveniently located for ease of use. The responsibility includes ownership and control of your water consumption."
Vending points
Once residents have applied for the prepaid meters, they will be able to buy water from PicknPay outlets in Eros, Grove Mall and Wernhil as well as Otjomuise Dehli and Soweto Service Station, among other vending points.
Chief engineer of bulk and waste water at the City, Sebastian Husselmann said the application process is easy and affordable.
"Residents can apply for an amount of N$4 200 approximately, but will have a choice between upfront payment or repayment over five years.
“That repayment will then be loaded onto the person's unique tariff and they can pay it off in any way over those five years."
Pensioners and other vulnerable members of the community as well as residents who are in arrears were prioritised during the roll-out of the campaign.
According to community representative and founder of the Ipelegeng Bomme group, Kerubine Makabanyane, this is a relief for the Havana community and especially the residents of Mariental street, who will be first to benefit.
"This word 'Ipelegeng Bomme' in Setswana means ‘mothers should carry them on their backs’. We waited so long for this water.
The project in its first phase started in 2001, so we waited 21 years for this.
“The community survived off of communal taps but the one who waits is the one who will succeed," she said during a thanksgiving speech.
Avoid further debt
During her keynote address, Windhoek mayor Sade Gawanas stressed that the prepaid meters – which will allow residents to buy water based on their consumption - will help them steer clear of further debt while keeping track of their consumption per month.
"It is very important to take note that council made the write-off of debt conditional that the existing conventional meters are converted to pre-paid water meters.
“This is to ensure control over consumption and that residents do not fall back into debt."
Community members will now be able to buy as much water as they need without having to worry about being left without the resource.
Gawanas added that council has handed over the responsibility to residents and trusts they will take up the challenge.
"Water can be purchased from multiple external points, which are conveniently located for ease of use. The responsibility includes ownership and control of your water consumption."
Vending points
Once residents have applied for the prepaid meters, they will be able to buy water from PicknPay outlets in Eros, Grove Mall and Wernhil as well as Otjomuise Dehli and Soweto Service Station, among other vending points.
Chief engineer of bulk and waste water at the City, Sebastian Husselmann said the application process is easy and affordable.
"Residents can apply for an amount of N$4 200 approximately, but will have a choice between upfront payment or repayment over five years.
“That repayment will then be loaded onto the person's unique tariff and they can pay it off in any way over those five years."
Pensioners and other vulnerable members of the community as well as residents who are in arrears were prioritised during the roll-out of the campaign.
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