WINDHOEK – Seventy-one-year-old Maliu Armandu who has been living in abject poverty at Mix settlement will be relocated to the Katutura old age home this week. The relocation follows New Era’s first story about Armandu’s inhumane living conditions two weeks ago.
Sympathetic readers responded by giving him a bed, clothes and food.
The Strategic Executive for Economic Development and Community Services of the Windhoek Municipality, George Mayumbelo, said municipal social workers were already working on the case before New Era ran the story. “We were already working on his case,” Mayumbelo said.
Mayumbelo confirmed that the old man would be relocated to the old age home either today or tomorrow.
The Angolan born Armandu has been destitute for a long time and depends on neighbours and handouts to survive. In a recent interview with New Era Armandu said his family lives in Angola and that he does not have children.
Although he has been living in Namibia since 1969, Armandu does not get a monthly pension grant because of his Angolan status.
Yesterday [Sunday] Mayumbelo maintained Armandu would be relocated to the old age home this week, but he could not confirm whether today or tomorrow. New Era has it on good grounds that preparations to move Armandu into the old age home were at an advanced stage.
Windhoek social workers were hard at work last week getting Armandu a permanent residence certificate as well as busy with preparations to ascertain that all is in place when the old man moves into his new home this week, Mayumbelo noted.
He said Armandu was counselled and told he would move to a new place and that he had consented.
“We think he is interested in becoming a Namibian,” said Mayumbelo. He explained that because the old man has lived in Namibia for a very long time he is disconnected from his family in Angola.
“We think he is interested in becoming a Namibian. Over there (Angola) he might become a total stranger,” added Mayumbelo.
Mayumbelo stressed that Armandu would be cared for and have regular meals in his new environment.
“His circumstances will be much better than where he is,” added Mayumbelo.
The Windhoek Municipality, he added, is facilitating the process for Armandu to access financial support.
Early last week, the Namibia Red Cross Society also donated clothes, blankets, cutlery, food and toiletries to Armandu.
Abia Uhongora of the Namibia Red Cross Society on Friday told New Era that they (NRCS) were touched by the article. “We visited the site twice to assess the situation for ourselves and after analysing the situation we gave him the items,” explained Uhongora.
He too feels Armandu is better off at the old age home as he will receive meals three times a day.
When New Era visited Armandu again on Friday afternoon he was having lunch and looked much cleaner and younger compared to previous times.
New Era first published Armandu’s story two weeks ago. He has been living in abject poverty and unhygienic conditions.