Action needed!
29 November 2018 | Columns
President Hage Geingob has rightfully described the ongoing conditions in the country's informal settlements as a humanitarian crisis.
The head of state said this on Monday evening when MTC and Huawei announced a N$10 million donation to the Shack Dwellers Federation of Namibia, which will be used to build 250 low-cost houses.
Geingob said government cannot give up until every Namibian has a home in which they can feel safe.
“With so many challenges and dangers confronting shack dwellers, life is difficult and undignified. Shack fires, unstable family lives and a lack of electricity are just some of the challenges they face on a daily basis.
“These are Namibians with real problems and who lack the basic necessities. These are our brothers and sisters. We cannot stand by idly while they suffer,” Geingob said, before adding that “we can no longer be part of a society which turns a blind eye to the agony of others”.
“If we witness social injustice and choose to do nothing about it, we are part of the problem and not the solution,” he continued. The prioritisation of the restoration of the dignity of the poor must be the main priority of our young nation, so the president's words are welcome. Let swift action now follow. The impatience, frustration anger is growing by the minute, and may soon spill over to consume us all.
The head of state said this on Monday evening when MTC and Huawei announced a N$10 million donation to the Shack Dwellers Federation of Namibia, which will be used to build 250 low-cost houses.
Geingob said government cannot give up until every Namibian has a home in which they can feel safe.
“With so many challenges and dangers confronting shack dwellers, life is difficult and undignified. Shack fires, unstable family lives and a lack of electricity are just some of the challenges they face on a daily basis.
“These are Namibians with real problems and who lack the basic necessities. These are our brothers and sisters. We cannot stand by idly while they suffer,” Geingob said, before adding that “we can no longer be part of a society which turns a blind eye to the agony of others”.
“If we witness social injustice and choose to do nothing about it, we are part of the problem and not the solution,” he continued. The prioritisation of the restoration of the dignity of the poor must be the main priority of our young nation, so the president's words are welcome. Let swift action now follow. The impatience, frustration anger is growing by the minute, and may soon spill over to consume us all.
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