Could the Twaloloka fire have been prevented?
The Zone visited students from the University of Namibia and asked what they thought of the fire in Walvis Bay’s Twaloloka informal settlement (now named Otweya) and whether it could have been prevented. Here’s what they had to say.
11 August 2020 | Opinion
Joy Haipinge
I think it was devastating and the fact that a life was lost makes the whole thing heart-breaking. People lost their belongings and have to start all over again. Yes, it could have been prevented if the government had allocated proper services in the area.
Patricia Kadila
The fire was a tragic event that caused a massive destruction within people’s lives and the country at large, especially during this pandemic. Yes, it could have been prevented if government had eliminated the shacks and provided efficient water and electricity.
Rivera Hikuama
Tragedy is the only word that comes to mind when I think of the fire outbreak in Twaloloka. No, it could not be prevented, however, the spreading of it could’ve been averted if there were proper services such as water and fast response of fire brigade.
Theodore Lukas
I think it was a sad event that occurred for the people of Twaloloka and a life-changing event indeed. Yes, it could have been prevented by both the person who caused it and the fire brigade if they had responded faster to the situation.
Tracey Brokerhoff
Evidently, the fire was a horrid event on top of everything already going on. Mistakes are inevitable. Certain things cannot be prevented, so I cannot certainly say. But the spread and cause could have been prevented if local authorities had made more water accessible in the area.
Lucia Nehemia
The fire was very traumatizing; it was an eyesore. It stripped everything away, left people homeless and it took the life of a toddler. It could’ve been prevented if government had provided proper housing. The materials used to build Twaloloka cause the fire to even spread more.
I think it was devastating and the fact that a life was lost makes the whole thing heart-breaking. People lost their belongings and have to start all over again. Yes, it could have been prevented if the government had allocated proper services in the area.
Patricia Kadila
The fire was a tragic event that caused a massive destruction within people’s lives and the country at large, especially during this pandemic. Yes, it could have been prevented if government had eliminated the shacks and provided efficient water and electricity.
Rivera Hikuama
Tragedy is the only word that comes to mind when I think of the fire outbreak in Twaloloka. No, it could not be prevented, however, the spreading of it could’ve been averted if there were proper services such as water and fast response of fire brigade.
Theodore Lukas
I think it was a sad event that occurred for the people of Twaloloka and a life-changing event indeed. Yes, it could have been prevented by both the person who caused it and the fire brigade if they had responded faster to the situation.
Tracey Brokerhoff
Evidently, the fire was a horrid event on top of everything already going on. Mistakes are inevitable. Certain things cannot be prevented, so I cannot certainly say. But the spread and cause could have been prevented if local authorities had made more water accessible in the area.
Lucia Nehemia
The fire was very traumatizing; it was an eyesore. It stripped everything away, left people homeless and it took the life of a toddler. It could’ve been prevented if government had provided proper housing. The materials used to build Twaloloka cause the fire to even spread more.
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