Villagers pour petrol in water to ‘clean’ it

Full of algae. This is the water the people of Onamatanga village in the Omusati Region’s Tsandi district have no choice but to consume.

Onamatanga has only one source of clean water for its close to 500 inhabitants: A borehole, dug years ago, which hasn't worked well for over two years and is more than 10 kilometres from their homesteads.

“We sometimes put petrol or diesel [in the water] to purify it,” the group collectively shouted.

In desperation, the villagers often turn to nearby ponds for water.

When Namibian Sun visits, one of the villagers collects water from the pond to show what they contend with on a daily basis.

The pond is about five kilometres from her house, and its stench greets visitors from a distance away.

“Today, it’s very clean,” the group murmur while others nod in agreement.

They do not believe their attempts to clean their closest water source are futile as water is not soluble in diesel or motor oil.

Long walk

Village headman Kaloete Sheengala explained the difficulties the situation has caused: "Since the pond’s condition has deteriorated, the women and girls regularly go get water at the borehole - an hour and a half away on foot”.

To make the journey, they have to carry 25-litre containers on their heads, he said.

During the school year, though, they draw water from the school tanks, which are closer and are rationed so they cater for the learners.

“It still means making several trips per family. We know the water is stagnant, but there is nothing else we can do,” he said.

Sick children

Sheengela said his biggest concern for the people he is tasked with leading are the little ones who suffer the most.

“Apart from the unbearable smell, the small children have diarrhoea almost every day. They constantly need medical care. It gets better when we receive assistance from the school water tanks. But that water comes with difficulty. It can take up to six months [to be refilled],” he lamented.

At the time of our visit, the two tanks at the school were bone dry.

Villager Aukongo Ishakena said while they face many challenges, their biggest one is water.

He said the agriculture ministry - through Ruacana constituency councillor Andreas Shintama - told them to dig a trench for water pipes so they can get potable water, but over two years later, nothing has been done.

“They lied and told us to dig for water pipes. Twice even, but up to now, there is a huge water scarcity.”

‘We are not free’

According to Ishakena, even the headman has forsaken them and is not helpful.

“We are suffering. We just hear about independence benefits from others. We are not free.

"If we are to say the country has gained independence, we should be able to see it with our own two eyes and touch the benefits which come with it.

“The way we have been living in colonial times is the same as now. And the water we were drinking during the apartheid era when people were segregated is the same water we are drinking now.

"The government didn’t do much for us. They have built schools, yes, but without adequate facilities,” he said.

Approached for comment, Shintama said he was in Onamatanga three times this year and there is a plan to construct boreholes and water points for animals.

He added that the residents who want to draw water to their private residences will also be afforded that opportunity.