Without an air-conditioned office or a budget, Shaun ‘Asprilla’ Gariseb – through his unorthodox approach – has shown that miniscule resources are no excuse for failing to bring the poor’s plight to the fore.
Gariseb is a civil servant who studied business and public administration at the Namibia University of Science and Technology, working at Legal Aid.
For many, he has become a modern-day Robin Hood for the people of Katutura, Windhoek, and by extension, Namibia.
Wherever and whenever Namibians are oppressed, Gariseb is always readily available to assist in whatever way possible.
Whether it is organising a protest on behalf of Katutura’s residents over a dodgy water billing system or exorbitant national electricity prices; be it standing in solidarity with the residents of Okahandja or down south in Rehoboth, he has become an omnipresent figure wherever people find themselves voiceless. His unconventional modus operandi, for some reason, is yielding the desired results.
Recently, New Era’s Limba Mupetami sat down with the social justice activist to understand and gauge what really drives him.
During our interaction, however, Gariseb hastened to indicate that he has no political ambitions whatsoever.
For him, assisting his fellow Namibians is a calling.
Genesis
Born and raised in the notorious ‘Kroegs Aib’ area of Damara location in Windhoek and having attended high school at Concordia, the dusty yet lively streets of Katutura shaped him.
While he cannot pinpoint the exact moment his activism began, he recognises that it stems from a profound sense of necessity. He refuses to remain passive while people suffer under what he describes as ‘artificial debts’ imposed by the City of Windhoek.
As an older brother to two siblings and a father to a one-year-old daughter, Gariseb has taken a leading role in founding the Katutura Residents Committee (KRC), a grassroots’ organisation dedicated to addressing injustices.
He insists that the city has been charging its customers inconsistent rates and taxes for years.
He contends that the appointment of Red Force, a debt-collection agency, was done illegally and without council resolution, leading to the unlawful blocking of residents’ electricity meters.
Gariseb criticises the city’s flawed billing system, which he claims arbitrarily inflates people’s bills. He emphasised the confusion and frustration experienced by many residents, as they face repeated water disconnections. “Bills continue to fluctuate, leaving residents in a state of financial uncertainty. Some are forced to take exorbitant loans, or sell their livestock to cover their bills,” he stated.
Motivated by these issues, he felt compelled to act. “I could no longer stand by and watch how people are exploited. The KRC was established to tackle these concerns, which affect not just Katutura residents, but many others across Windhoek. The committee has faced numerous challenges, including resistance from the city, and no support from councillors,” adds Gariseb.
Charges
Nevertheless, they have taken decisive steps by filing criminal charges against the city’s management, and are pursuing legal action to obtain resolutions related to Red Force’s appointment and other irregularities.
He then raised a critical question: “Yes, ratepayers may owe bills, we are not denying that. But how do they determine what we owe? How do bills escalate when services are suspended? We want to honour our municipal obligations, but not when the city is run as a profit-making scheme as opposed to a social service. The city is playing tricks,” he stresses.
Gariseb believes that social issues impact everyone, and that remaining silent would be a disservice. He is particularly concerned about the city pressurising vulnerable elderly individuals into signing debt acknowledgements they do not fully understand through supposed debt write-offs.
Proposal
To address the escalating debt crisis, Gariseb and the KRC have proposed several measures to the city. “These include removing Red Force, enhancing the city’s debt management capabilities, installing water and electricity meters in low-income households, and implementing a debt ceiling.
This proposed debt ceiling would ensure that accounts are frozen when bills reach a certain point, giving homeowners an opportunity to pay off their debt before it escalates further—a situation many residents currently face,” he adds.
Furthermore, he encourages residents to actively engage the city to ensure their accounts are accurately reflected and consistent.
Gariseb believes that by coming together, the community can hold the city accountable, and drive the much-needed change.
Activism
Outside of his fight against the city, he also stands with Namibia’s youth. Recently, he joined protests advocating for the implementation of the Basic Income Grant (BIG), and was behind the petition to halt the hiking of electricity, something he is proud of as he awaits the investment decision of the Kudu gas development which will define the alternative energy source direction of the country.
In relation to the BIG, Gariseb argues that rejecting poverty is crucial, despite some criticism that the BIG gives money to the undeserving. He highlights the contrast between the outrage over BIG, and the indifference to the concentration of wealth among a few, at the expense of the youth.
“For those who are unemployed and in need, BIG offers significant benefits, though ending hunger will require more than just BIG,” he states.
Gariseb’s work has not gone unnoticed, particularly by those who claim to stand with the masses.
One of them is forex trader-turned-social justice activist Michael Saddam Amushelelo, who lauded him as Namibia’s leading activist.
In addition to his current activism, Gariseb started the End Poverty Foundation in 2022. This organisation provides sanitary care products to girls in various communities through dedicated activations.
Despite his deep involvement in these community issues, he insists he has no political aspirations just yet. “The people need me, and I am here for them; it’s my calling, but my first love is with Black Africa. I want them to fix their issues so that the sports club can return to its former glory,” he states.
City
Recently, city spokesperson Harold Akwenye responded to allegations around the irregularities in their water billing system.
He said they have appointed forensic investigators to look into the irregularities, and uncover the exact number of accounts affected.
“The exact number of clients affected cannot be confirmed at this stage as the City of Windhoek is currently assessing the magnitude of the matter by appointing a forensic investigator to look into the irregularities,” Akwenye was quoted as saying.
He continued: “Once we have comprehensive findings from the forensic investigation, we will formally communicate the details to the public to ensure full transparency.
We are committed to full transparency. Besides, we are reviewing and strengthening our internal controls to prevent future occurrences, and to restore public trust.”