Otniel Hembapu
The Shack Dwellers Federation (SDF), in collaboration with its various partners, yesterday handed over 57 houses at Gobabis’ Freedom Square location.
The occasion also saw the ground-breaking ceremony of another 30 houses. The handover ceremony was officiated by deputy minister of urban and rural development Natalia /Goagoses and Omaheke governor Pijo Nganate.
All 57 houses were handed over to women, mostly single mothers. Of the 30 houses that will be constructed next, only two are earmarked for men. The houses are constructed in an area that was previously known as Promise Land location, recently renamed Freedom Square.
Speaking at the ceremony, Nganate underscored the growing importance of tackling socio-economic issues, such as housing, and other challenges through collaborative efforts, saying government, alone, cannot address the housing crisis in the shortest possible time.
“Shack Dwellers Federation, I am proud of your work, your model and your achievements. You truly are a force to be reckoned with. It is said that we should be the change we want to see happen, so as an organisation you continue to demonstrate that you are responsible for that change as you continue to meet our government halfway.
“Together with private sector partners, you are representative of the types of partnerships that should exist between government and private sector. These are the types of models that should be replicated across sectors, considering they are extremely effective and efficient and with tangible results,” said Nganate.
He said the first step to meaningful community engagement is appreciating that leveraging community knowledge, experiences, concerns, creativity and power is critical for generating strong and sustainable outcomes and as is evident, the community has already demonstrated that.
“Together we can take it even further.”
On her part, /Goagoses said government inherited a massive housing backlog at independence and has since continued to put various policy interventions in place to address the housing issue.
Over the years, /Goagoses said, it became evident that it will be impossible for government alone to fully address the housing backlog and therefore the role of organisations such as the Shack Dwellers Federation and its partners is highly important towards delivering the promise of decent housing to all Namibians.
“These efforts are part and parcel of government’s call for decent housing for all Namibians and equally part of government’s policy interventions. But we have also realised that alone we cannot overcome this massive housing backlog we inherited at independence and that’s why we are here today to handover these houses as partners working towards one common vision, which is decent housing for all Namibians,” said the minister.
SDFN is a community-based network of housing saving schemes, aiming to improve the living conditions of urban and rural poor while promoting women’s participation.
SDFN, which was founded in 1998 by 30 grassroots housing groups, is affiliated with Shack Dwellers International.
- ohembapu@nepc.com.na