Hilma Nalupe
Dolly Mootu, originally from Tsumeb, recently led a cleaning campaign in her hometown, targeting the informal settlement of Kuvukiland, which is home to more than 10 000 people.
The objective of the campaign was to give the community a hands-on experience in taking responsibility for their surroundings and leading their own change. Mootu believes that change begins with the individual and the steps they choose to take using what they already have.
This initiative stemmed from her desire to give back to the community. She hoped to inspire a sense of pride, ownership and belief that the community has what it takes to make a difference, without waiting for anyone else to act.
“I’ve always wanted to give back to the community, so I thought, what better place to begin than at home, where I grew up? I thought of a cleaning campaign in Kuvukiland because that’s where I saw the most need,” Mootu said.
The community turnout exceeded expectations, reflecting how eager residents are to participate in such initiatives and help where they can.
However, the campaign faced challenges, including a lack of cleaning materials and proper protective gear. “We had rakes and spades, but they were not sufficient for everyone who showed up. We had masks and gloves, but they were not ideal for the job,” she said.
Because Kuvukiland is an informal settlement, most areas do not have access to water. Mootu and the community had to walk a considerable distance to fetch water and pay for it. “We had to walk to a clinic to wash our hands and then have our lunch after we finished cleaning,” she added.
After the campaign, the community expressed great enthusiasm for future clean-up activities and even asked Mootu when the next one would be.
“At the end of the campaign, I saw not only a clean environment but also a community that was proud of the work they did and their progress. That’s the type of ownership and responsibility for their environment that I hoped the campaign would bring forth,” Mootu said proudly.
The initiative was made possible with the support of Lischen Klaasen, a community leader from Tsumeb, who ensured that there were enough volunteers and helped facilitate the campaign on the ground.
“Klaasen’s role in this campaign was crucial. It would not have happened without her. She made sure to get the community involved and even brought the cleaning materials.”
Mootu hopes to inspire other communities to take similar steps and to take pride in their environments by creating the change they want to see.