FARM 37 – The quest for land reached a climax on Friday when residents, identifying themselves as the backyard tenants’ association were stopped by the Namibian police after invading Farm 37 in Walvis Bay.
Farm 37 was identified in 2016 by the former council and the late Erongo governor Cleophas Mutjavikua as the solution to the housing shortage the town is facing.
Situated about 7km east of Walvis Bay, Farm 37 has the potential to yield at least 30 000 erven.
Currently, at least 50 000 residents are either renting or living in backyard shacks in the town, which has a housing backlog, estimated to be around 30 000.
Council was expected to move the first 50 people last year already but the registration process of the backyard tenants started only earlier this year.
On Friday, the frustrated group of about 200 people arrived en masse in minibuses and taxis with blankets and camping equipment to camp at the open land, earmarked for the housing development by the municipality.
However, they were threatened with arrest if they illegally occupied the land.
They are of the opinion that the relocation to Farm 37 takes too long, and that council is dragging its feet to address their petition.
Speaking on behalf of the group, Immanuel Pombili ya Festus said the delay by the council is robbing them of their dreams to become homeowners.
“Our petition has alternative ideas to meet council halfway in terms of finance. We are willing to assist from our pockets, however, we are delayed by this deliberate ignorance of our petition, which we equally do not know whether it will ever be discussed or not,” he said.
Festus said they simply cannot live any longer with their children in one-room shacks that lack privacy; hence, their request for land should not be taken lightly.
Another backyard tenant Maria Garoes also aired her frustration, saying she has been applying for land for many years but still finds herself renting.
“It is sad to see that people who arrived recently in Walvis Bay are already getting land and housing, while we, who have been living here for years, are still homeless. I will not move from here until they solve our problem,” Garoes said.
Another resident also expressed her disappointment, saying the relocation is taking way too long.
“Imagine, we heard about Farm 37 in 2016 already. So many meetings took place but no relocation has taken place yet. They must explain to us the reasons behind the delay. We are paying so much money for places that don’t even have access to running water and bathrooms,” the frustrated resident said.
Addressing the crowd, Walvis Bay Mayor Trevino Forbes said council will not bend to force, and it will do things procedurally and the right way.
“We have been in council for three years and have put up a framework to move people to Farm 37. That’s already been done. We are moving people to Farm 37, and the first 50 people will move soon,” he said.
Forbes said the first move is a benchmark so that no mistakes are made during the whole relocation process.
“It is our mandate to provide land available for our residents. We are also aware that the process is lengthy, but we need to do things procedure,” he explained.
- edeklerk@nepc.com.na