Ministerial delegation wraps up Erongo mission

LEANDREA LOUWWALVIS BAYMembers of the high-level ministerial delegation consisting of five deputy ministers that visited the Erongo Region to assess the Covid-19 situation are all back in Windhoek.The delegation consisted of deputy minister of labour Hafeni Ndemula (delegation leader), deputy minister of urban and rural development Derek Klazen, deputy minister of health and social services Ester Muinjangue, deputy minister of education, arts and culture Faustina Namutenya Caley and deputy minister of safety and security Daniel Kashikola.According to Klazen, each member of the delegation had a task. “At the time, Walvis Bay was still regarded as the epicentre of the Covid-19 pandemic. During our visit, a lot happened. The first Covid-19 death occurred in Walvis Bay and the residents' unhappiness about the burial of the deceased followed. This was one of the issues we had to look into.” DecongestionKlazen said the delegation also had to look at a means of implementing the decongestion strategy.“Congestion in settlements like Kuisebmond and DRC in Swakopmund is a major challenge. We had to look at the re-opening of schools, spoke to the unemployed fishermen of Walvis Bay, and also visited quarantine and isolation facilities.”The ministerial delegation was briefed on the challenges faced by the local authorities. They were also given suggestions and provided with a plan of action by the governor of the Erongo Region, Neville Andre.Strategic planAt this briefing, Lieutenant-Colonel Aktofel Kwedhi, the operations officer of the Covid-19 centre in Walvis Bay, presented a proposed strategic plan to combat the spread of Covid-19 in Walvis Bay.Kwedhi said the plan involved clustering areas into smaller and more manageable blocks for better incident management. “One phase of the plan involves evacuating cleared community members of restricted areas on a voluntary basis. The second phase involves decongestion – moving residents in overcrowded areas to other places within restricted areas to reduce infections. In this way, infections can be contained from transmitting to other persons and places.”According to Klazen, the delegation members dissected this plan and identified possible amendments. The ministers also looked for buildings that can be rented for use as quarantine and isolation facilities. “We visited all the hospitals in Walvis Bay and Swakopmund as well as the youth facility in Henties Bay where people were very unhappy with their living conditions inside the isolation centre.“Dr Kaveto Sikuvi, who travelled with the delegation, played a huge role in calming down the patients at the Youth Centre. :He also talked to staff of the various hospitals; we listened to their concerns and advised on what we can do to better their conditions and how they can respond better on healthcare matters.” Klazen said concerns and challenges presented during visits were included in a report which will be presented to the prime minister. “During the delegation's visit, a fire destroyed 153 homes and killed a toddler at the Twaloloka informal settlement.“I need to commend the security cluster that ensured that tents were set up so that people do not sleep out in the open that same night. It was amazing to see the private sector and government coming together to assist the people of Twaloloka during this tragedy,” Klazen said.

Ministerial delegation wraps up Erongo mission

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Namibian Sun 2025-09-02

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Ministerial delegation wraps up Erongo mission

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Namibian Sun 2025-09-02

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