By Reagan Malumo
KATIMA MULILO
The Caprivi Regional Council came into the spotlight last week after the communities of Ngoma in Caprivi accused it of failing to promote rural community projects towards rooting out unemployment and poverty in the region.
The issue came to life at a craft and art skills sharing workshop that the communities of this area held at Ngoma last week.
The workshop started on September 17, and ended on September 21. The event was sponsored by IRDNC and was attended by women from nearby villages.
Its objective was to impart skills and knowledge on how to create craft and traditional items such as clay pots, traditional weaving baskets and woodcarvings.
According to Vice-Chairperson of the Ngoma Craft Center Othielia Sakachele, the Caprivi Regional Council has failed to render support to community projects in remote areas. She expressed disappointment with the fact that the regional council was unable to recognize the craft center’s proximity to the border post and the opportunity created by its location in attracting tourists into the country.
She stressed that since the art center is located at a strategic point of entry to Botswana, it was supposed to be upgraded by erecting a fence and putting up water facilities at the center.
She said her committee has repeatedly approached the Department of Rural Water Supply in the Ministry of Agriculture, Water and Forestry to provide them with equipment but to no avail.
“These days, officials from both the regional council and the Department of Rural Water Supply are no longer passing by our center because they think that we are going to trouble them,” said Sakachele.
She said that most clients who normally visit the center complain about the fact that there are no toilets and water at the center.
Meanwhile, participants learned extensive skills in craft-making during the workshop. They are now expected to create their own crafts and gather them at the craft center where they are to be marketed and sold.
According to Chairperson of the Ngoma Craft Center Michael Mbukusa, each participant earns approximately N$500 every month through the project. He applauded IRDNC for the assistance they have rendered towards the project.