WINDHOEK – Inhabitants of Kapps Farm – situated about 20 kilometres east of Windhoek – say they do not enjoy the ‘fruits of independence’, as basic services such as potable water and electricity are not accessible to them.
“We don’t have electricity. At night we depend on our mobile phone lights to see what is happening outside,” Thelma Hoxobes told New Era recently.
“We also have a problem with water because sometimes it has a sour taste.”
Hoxobes says Kapps Farm residents are yet to fully benefit from the country’s independence.
“This is the only farm in this area that does not have electricity. We must also taste the fruits of Namibia’s independence. We are ignored and even when Namibia celebrates its anniversaries we do not have any activities planned for us here,” said Hoxobes.
Further, she alleged that the Windhoek Rural Constituency Councillor, Arie Fredericks, has not actively made his mark at Kapps Farm.
“We call the councillor to listen to our plights but he just drives past on the main road. The councillor did not do anything for us here. He just makes promises,” said Hoxobes.
Another resident Julia Afrikaner added: “We really have a problem of water and electricity.”
Hoxobes and Afrikaner added that shebeens are also a problem in the area.
“We do not sleep on weekends especially end of the month because almost everyone is at the shebeens. The noise that comes from there is too much and people also fight when they are drunk. Fortunately, now we have a police station nearby and the police shut down the shebeens at ten in the evening,” said Hoxobes.
“It’s okay for some shebeens to operate here because they have licences,” added Afrikaner.
Contacted for comment on Monday, Councillor Fredericks said: “These people like to complain. But it’s their right to do so.”
He maintained that the Windhoek Rural Constituency is vast.
“I can’t be there every day to listen to their complaints as I have to attend to other people’s problems also. But I was there earlier in the year and I spoke to the owner of the farm. One of the complaints that came out from the meeting is that they are in need of electricity,” said Fredericks.