Walvis Bay
There are more than 1 000 serviced residential erven currently available at the town of Walvis Bay and these will be allocated on the basis of one plot per person for first-time buyers on a first-come first, first-served basis.
However, recipients of such erven will not be allowed to build shacks on the plots. The Ministry of Urban and Rural Development will develop mechanisms to secure finance for building affordable homes on these erven, based on what the buyers can afford.
This was said by Minister of Urban and Rural Development Sophia Shaningwa when she addressed about 1 500 landless residents at Kuisebmond Stadium on Saturday. The minister’s visit follows just days after about 350 landless resident illegally occupied private land in Tutaleni.
This resulted in violent clashes with members of the police reserve force and lead to the damage of Tutaleni police station and four landless residents being arrested.
“I have instructed the Municipality of Walvis Bay to start with allocating this land to the people. I’m also aware that there is a list with the names of all the applicants at the municipality. I wish to acknowledge that the land concerns of the communities are genuine. That is why this land should be allocated on the condition of one plot per person and also one plot per first-time buyer,” she stated.
“Bear in mind the houses or plots are not going to be for free. We have to contribute to enable the revolving fund to grow so that we can develop more erven to accommodate more people that are in need of land in Walvis Bay,” the minister explained. Shaningwa said the allocation of land would be done in a transparent manner. Consultations will be had, based on the list without favouritism or discrimination.
“We need to make sure we reduce the list. No manipulation will be allowed. You have no right to sell that house or plot without notifying us. Proper consultations must be done and those who would get such houses have to be consulted so that we know what they can afford. We don’t want to build houses valued at N$700 000 that people cannot afford,” she said.
The minister said she is aware of the exorbitant rental fees residents are currently paying. “This shows that you actually have money, all you need is to pay that money on your own home. As a leader of this ministry we have to develop a plan and think outside the box and act as soon as possible to provide houses to you,” Shaningwa said.
She also said President Hage Geingob has tasked her to look for land for police officers and other uniformed officials, as they are also mostly renting.
“We should work together to deal with the issue the right way and give one another the time and peace of mind to plan properly. I don’t want to jump every time people are grabbing land in the dunes. Land is not only a problem in Walvis Bay. It’s all over the country.
“Currently N$2.88 billion is allocated to us. Of this N$1.6 billion will go to the regional councils and local authorities, of which N$729 million allocated for infrastructure development should be used for land delivery,” she said.
She then requested landless residents to be patient and mindful of the fact that government is re-addressing the issue.
“The land issue did not start yesterday and this should be understood correctly. It is, therefore, important to note that during the colonial era, black people were allowed to only come work in the cities on a 12-month contract basis and were accommodated in compounds like fish in tins. In this regard, I would tell you that bulk services were only for a few whites,” she stated.
“I should, however, emphasise that I don’t hate whites, but it is the reality of the matter,’ she said. The number of black people in Walvis Bay was in the range of 500 and whites numbered about 20 000 in the colonial era, and bulk services were built to accommodate a few, not the majority. “This is what those who instigate you should also tell you,” the minister further advised.