KATJI-NA-KATJI – Katji-na-katji, Leevi Kamaranga, Simwege and Ou Cordon villages in Mankumpi constituency last week received 25 zinc houses to replace those lost during the heavy rainstorm in January this year.
The aid was provided by the Chinese Embassy and valued at N$300 000.
Over 170 homesteads were affected by the disastrous rain.
Jopa Ouruunda, the Katji-na-katji Local Development Committee chairperson, said his community was honoured to receive the assistance that restored dignity to some
of his fellow community members who had been left stranded by the aftermath of the January rains.
“When this incident happened, it was a 10 to 15-minutes’ walk, but it was so traumatising. Thank God that we are happy today. On behalf of the affected community, we thank the Chinese embassy for the zinc houses, your thoughtful contribution has brought hope, and dignity to our beneficiaries by improving their living conditions and strengthening our community, this act of kindness is a true reflection of a strong and enduring friendship between the People’s Republic of China and our community, we sincerely thank you for your continued support,” he noted.
Joseph Sikongo, the chairperson of the Kavango East Regional Council, stated during the handover event that Namibia has the best friends, and one of them is China.
“There were many people who heard about the disaster that struck us at that particular moment, but the Chinese embassy did not hold back; you just took from your pocket to help some of the people who were affected. As Namibians, let’s appreciate our country for having the best friends who assist us in times of need. We really appreciate the generosity coming from China. Thank you,” said Sikongo. Mankumpi constituency councillor and chairperson of the National Council, Lukas Muha, said that the storm had knocked everything down, and nobody knew who to ask because it had confused everyone, as all had suffered the same ordeal.
“Thank you, today you have brought a smile to many women, many children, and every person in this community,’’ he said.
Deputy Chief of the Chinese Embassy in Namibia, Shen Jian, read the statement of Chinese Ambassador Zhao Weiping, who was unable to attend the handover.
“The Chinese Embassy has been very honoured to take part in this project and to provide some contribution to help build these zinc houses. I am also delighted to see that, with the direct care of Prime Minister Elijah Ngurare and the effective work of the Kavango East Regional Council, this project has been finished in a few months and has now build shelters to benefit people here,” he said.
He said that over the past 35 years, the two countries have stood side by side through thick and thin, supporting each other in their pursuit of national development and a better life for their two peoples.
“China attaches great importance to deepening cooperation with Namibia in all fields, from infrastructure and health to agriculture and education, with a shared goal of improving livelihoods and achieving sustainable development,’’ he said.
“Today’s project of zinc houses, modest in scale but rich in meaning, is another vivid example of our pragmatic cooperation for the benefit of ordinary people. Housing, as we all know, lies at the heart of people’s wellbeing.”
-jmuyamba@nepc.com.na