WITKRANS – Johannes Ngoma, a long-time resident of Witkrans, has transformed a barren piece of land into a thriving backyard garden that sustains his family of 12.

The 40-year-old moved to this location 39 years ago with his parents, who were farm workers, Ngoma’s journey is a tale of unwavering determination and resilience. Ngoma’s backyard garden stands as an oasis amidst the stark landscape, providing fresh produce for his family and a source of hope for the community. His dedication not only sustains his family but also allows them to contribute to the community’s well-being by providing access to fresh vegetables.

Witkrans, situated in the Rehoboth Rural constituency of the Hardap region, offers little to its residents in terms of infrastructure and development. 

Ngoma’s family arrived here with dreams of a better life, but tragedy struck when his father, the sole breadwinner, passed away, leaving them with little means to survive.

Despite the father leaving the family with livestock to depend on when he died six years ago, the region was hit by a devastating drought three years ago, resulting in the death of some of the livestock. With no means to afford fodder to feed them, the remaining animals were sold, adding to the family’s struggles.

Determined to support his mother and siblings, Ngoma embarked on a remarkable endeavour – creating a small backyard garden that would change the course of their lives. 

Armed with basic farming knowledge, passed down from his parents, he experimented with different crops, such as spinach, cabbage, onions and beetroot, utilising various gardening techniques. 

Despite the challenges of an arid climate, his efforts bore fruit.

“I just plant these vegetables now. Because I harvested all the veggies I had, I fed the family and sold some to the members of the community to ensure I generate income to buy cosmetics and other basic needs,” he said with a sense of accomplishment.

Life in Witkrans is not without its difficulties. The lack of infrastructure means that residents must rely on the support provided by the Roman Catholic missionaries in the area. 

Many, including Ngoma’s family, live in houses owned by the church and pay rent, making it challenging to break free from the cycle of poverty.

Speaking to New Era, Ngoma expressed the collective sentiment of the community, “We are unemployed and have no source of income. We depend on our mother’s pension, which is barely enough to get by. It would be a blessing if the government could support us in creating income-generating projects”.

The plight of Witkrans residents sheds light on the need for sustainable solutions and government intervention in marginalised communities. 

- ljason@nepc.com.na