Frustrations mount at Otweya

LEANDREA LOUWWALVIS BAYMcHenry Venaani, the president of the Popular Democratic Movement (PDM) was in Walvis Bay and Swakopmund over the past weekend on a two-day working visit.Otweya, formerly Twaloloka, where 153 homes burnt down on 26 July 2020, was his first stop.“This is one of the places I promised to visit once Covid-19 restrictions were lifted. The situation of Twaloloka is very close to my heart. This is a national matter. I am not a seasonal politician. I am here to assess the situation the people find themselves in,” he said.According to Venaani, Namibia is a country of empty promises.“Our people are promised services and homes. I was under the impression that there is a consistent process to relocate our people. I know that there are a number of unoccupied houses, yet our people are living in tents and suffering from the relentless weather conditions.”Venaani said Twaloloka is a special case.“Why has the government not raised the bar in terms of service delivery? During the apartheid regime there were social houses, houses owned by the municipality which people were renting. Why can't the same be done for our people? It's been three months since our people have been here, yet there is no service delivery.”He called upon the government and President Hage Geingob to take cognisance of the plight of the people.“You have promised that the people Twalaloka will be relocated, yet they are still here. We must be serious with people's lives. Elections will come and go, but the lives of our people need to change. My message is very simple – government must walk the talk. Come 2024, Namibia will change.” FrustratedVisibly frustrated and emotional residents complained to Venaani while he was at Otweya. Theofelus Heskia started crying when the PDM president asked him how he felt about living in a tent. “I fought for this country's independence as a PLAN combatant, and now I still have to fight for decent housing. How is that fair? Until when must I wait?”Rauna Hamunyela, who lives with five family members in one of the tents donated by the Red Cross, said she only has two blankets and two mattresses.“I lost everything in the fire. I used to sell fat cakes in Kuisebmond, but I've lost all my equipment. We heard that people have donated various things for the people of Twaloloka, yet what we received is not what has been donated.”Rebekka Shambongo said about 30 people live in each of the bigger tents. In one of the tents, three families are living with a two-month old baby.“We are cold, some people are sleeping on the cold sand on their mattresses in the tents. The government is only talking about Covid-19 but we are living with people who have TB. We are cold and tired.”

Frustrations mount at Otweya

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Namibian Sun 2025-05-07

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Frustrations mount at Otweya

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Namibian Sun 2025-05-07

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