Marythar Kambinda
Katima Mulilo – Shikati (Chief) Boniface Shufu of the Mayeyi community in the Zambezi region says the slow pace at which projects are implemented in areas within his jurisdiction requires urgent interventions.
Shufu, however, said the community appreciates some of the developments that have been attained within the Judea Lyaboloma constituency for the past years, specifically within the area of Sangwali – his royal seat – where government infrastructure, such as the constituency office, a health centre, a combined school and secondary school, agricultural extension centre, a veterinary facility under construction, as well as Mudumu and Nkasa Rupara National parks are found.
He made these remarks during the Batshara annual cultural festival, held recently at Sangwali.
“Sangwali is 135kms from Katima Mulilo and, therefore, government services must be a priority in this community,” said a concerned Shufu.
Shikati is also disturbed that Sangwali health centre leaves a lot to be desired in terms of health services that it offers, and it should be upgraded to a district hospital soon.
“We have only one hospital in the region, which still refers patients to Rundu – more than 500km away, and Windhoek, which is more than 1 200km away,” he said.
Shufu also appealed to the safety and security ministry to upgrade the Sangwali police station to a class that will include holding cells that accommodate offenders, instead of transporting them to the Kongola Police station, which is 70km away, and further transporting them to Katima Mulilo, which is another 135km journey.
Shufu also touched on the lack of rural electrification, which he says is a concern, as it is a basic need.
“I appreciate the efforts by most of our conservancies in terms of rural water supply and electricity. Their efforts must be complimented and supported by Namwater, Nampower and Nored,” he stated.
He further appealed to the institutions to synergise with the conservancies so that the community members can have access to potable water and electricity.
“The Katima-Linyanti-Sangwali water supply pipeline has been stagnant at Kapani for several years now, yet promises are being made by the Ministry of Agriculture, Water and Land Reform year in and year out about the extension of the water pipeline to Sangwali,” stated Shufu. On agriculture, he noted that it remains a key sector in the Zambezi region and the country at large. However, apart from climate change, farmers are still faced with various challenges, including human-wildlife conflict.
“Our biggest challenge here when it comes to agriculture are elephants that damage crop fields. Human-wildlife conflict seems to be a challenge that is here to stay, as the number of wildlife, especially elephants and buffaloes, has significantly increased as compared to the previous years,” he stated.
* Marythar Kambinda is an information officer of the MICT in the Zambezi region.