Ray of hope for San
The Omundaungilo San community is no longer forgotten as assistance comes in following Namibian Sun's reports on their dire situation.
The Omundaungilo San community woke up in newly built structures and on comfortable mattresses this morning. They will also be receiving access to drinking water soon.
This follows Namibian Sun's exposé 21 months ago, and a recent follow-up, highlighting the plight of the community that has been living in deplorable conditions for years.
Government contractors raced to Omundaungilo last month to construct corrugated iron structures to replace the makeshift tents in which the San community had lived.
Also, after reading about the inhumane conditions in which the community lived, a Windhoek-based company - RisCura Consulting Namibia Pty (Ltd) - donated over N$23 000 which was used to purchase 60 mattresses and blankets to complement government's efforts.
During the handover of the new structures and mattresses this week, deputy minister of marginalised communities in the Office of the Vice-President, Royal Johan Kxao /Ui/o/oo, said the assistance was part of efforts to end the historical injustices suffered by indigenous communities. The Office of the Vice-President gave N$800 000 to build the new structures.
Besides erecting 25 new structures, government will also provide the community with drinking water.
“I would like to humbly thank the Omundaungilo community for being patient with our office, I know we took so long to come to you. Today we have these 25 brand new houses that are standing here and I hope you will find them useful. Let us take a good care of them and share with each other as you have been doing it,” /Ui/o/oo said.
“Our office has also looked for sponsorship from various companies and RisCura Consulting Namibia Pty (Ltd) responded positively and gave us a donation of
N$23 340 to buy mattresses for the community. Our office decided to divide the money that was budgeted for a housing project at Omundaungilo, to also purchase 50 blankets for the community, so we give two blankets per household also today.”
/Ui/o/oo assured RisCura that their efforts are not in vain, as his office will ensure that the mattresses are used for the purpose for which they were sponsored. /Ui/o/oo said it is not easy for government to remedy historical injustices.
He said it is equally important to ensure that the San community's human rights are protected through the appropriate application of both domestic and international laws.
He added that Namibia has made great strides towards the elimination of racial discrimination against marginalised/indigenous communities, through the provision of essential services such as livelihood support projects, educational support and their resettlement, among others.
“We are here to learn from each other and share ideas for the common good of our marginalised communities. The headman of this area has laid the foundation for us, and as such, on behalf of the government which I am representing here today.
“I would like to wholeheartedly thank the community that has been working together with our staff members to build these houses and for what they have done for our San community, and I guarantee you that it will be recorded accordingly down our memory lane, in as far as the development of our communities is concerned,” /Ui/o/oo added.
ILENI NANDJATO
This follows Namibian Sun's exposé 21 months ago, and a recent follow-up, highlighting the plight of the community that has been living in deplorable conditions for years.
Government contractors raced to Omundaungilo last month to construct corrugated iron structures to replace the makeshift tents in which the San community had lived.
Also, after reading about the inhumane conditions in which the community lived, a Windhoek-based company - RisCura Consulting Namibia Pty (Ltd) - donated over N$23 000 which was used to purchase 60 mattresses and blankets to complement government's efforts.
During the handover of the new structures and mattresses this week, deputy minister of marginalised communities in the Office of the Vice-President, Royal Johan Kxao /Ui/o/oo, said the assistance was part of efforts to end the historical injustices suffered by indigenous communities. The Office of the Vice-President gave N$800 000 to build the new structures.
Besides erecting 25 new structures, government will also provide the community with drinking water.
“I would like to humbly thank the Omundaungilo community for being patient with our office, I know we took so long to come to you. Today we have these 25 brand new houses that are standing here and I hope you will find them useful. Let us take a good care of them and share with each other as you have been doing it,” /Ui/o/oo said.
“Our office has also looked for sponsorship from various companies and RisCura Consulting Namibia Pty (Ltd) responded positively and gave us a donation of
N$23 340 to buy mattresses for the community. Our office decided to divide the money that was budgeted for a housing project at Omundaungilo, to also purchase 50 blankets for the community, so we give two blankets per household also today.”
/Ui/o/oo assured RisCura that their efforts are not in vain, as his office will ensure that the mattresses are used for the purpose for which they were sponsored. /Ui/o/oo said it is not easy for government to remedy historical injustices.
He said it is equally important to ensure that the San community's human rights are protected through the appropriate application of both domestic and international laws.
He added that Namibia has made great strides towards the elimination of racial discrimination against marginalised/indigenous communities, through the provision of essential services such as livelihood support projects, educational support and their resettlement, among others.
“We are here to learn from each other and share ideas for the common good of our marginalised communities. The headman of this area has laid the foundation for us, and as such, on behalf of the government which I am representing here today.
“I would like to wholeheartedly thank the community that has been working together with our staff members to build these houses and for what they have done for our San community, and I guarantee you that it will be recorded accordingly down our memory lane, in as far as the development of our communities is concerned,” /Ui/o/oo added.
ILENI NANDJATO
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