Zebaldt Ngaruka
OTJOMBUNDIRO – The marginalised San people in various parts of the Omaheke region’s Epukiro constituency are not happy with their quarterly food distribution programme.
The quarterly food parcel is composed of 20kg of flour, four tins of fish, two 750ml bottles of cooking, a small bag of salt, beans and soup.
However, they were only given 20kg of flour, four tins of fish and one 750ml bottle of cooking oil this time around.
The community complained that they had to wait up to four months for their food parcels.
They also claimed that those who enforced measures for distribution failed to explain the processes and procedures to be followed to get the food parcels.
Another burning issue is that of national documents that some San people do not have.
Government said it will soon start awareness campaigns on the food distribution programme plus other developmental projects aimed at uplifting the San community.
New Era visited various settlements in the constituency and caught up with aggrieved San people who shared their dissatisfaction with the food distribution programme.
Adam David from Okaruokape Post told this publication that he never benefitted from the programme, as distributors always tell him that he stays on private land.
“It is really not fair at all and I fail to understand these people. I know some of my fellow San people working at farms in Okorukambe constituency who get these parcels, but here it is different,” David said.
He questioned the government about where he should relocate so he may get food parcels like other community members.
“I have my identification document, and I cannot afford to buy food every month with the little money I got from doing minor jobs at the settlement,” he sadly stated.
David also wanted to know why the San community was excluded from the drought relief food distribution programme.
“All the tribes here are getting this food monthly, and we are left out, and we do not know for what reason. Or maybe we do not deserve it,” he asked again.
Another concerned individual is Kurukuru van Wyk, who resides in the Ozombouvapa area and claims to have last received a parcel in February this year.
The breastfeeding mother of two children said she has not received food since then and was allegedly told to share with her brother Totoma van Wyk, who does not reside with her.
“This is not fair. My brother has a girlfriend to feed, and it is not good for me to go to his place every day for food. Why did they change the narratives now? Because my brother and I got separate parcels in February, as we are not staying at the same homestead,” she said.
The aggrieved Van Wyk asked why the government was taking so long to give food in her area, referencing February and the end of May.
“We always hear that the San in Post 3 are getting food every month but we have been waiting for four months here. The distributors need to explain to us, and the policy must be applied the same to all of us,” she said.
Sharing similar concerns is Evalista Kaane Tjituka, who said the distribution policies must be reconsidered as most San members are left out of the programme.
“This programme was aimed at helping the San, but some are not benefitting at all. We have instances where schools with San children are omitted, especially when on holidays,” said Tjituka.
Tjituka, who is the village secretary, referred to a certain Ndjavera homestead in Ozombouvapa where an elderly head of the house Johnathan Ndjavera is taking care of San children left by their parents.
“This elderly man is surviving on a pension. He got his grandchildren to look after, too. Why can’t the San school children be given a share, especially when the holiday is coming?” she asked.
She also questioned why it was important for San people to have a home for them to qualify for a food parcel.
“This is worrisome, we know the San people like to stay in groups and share food together, and how is that possible for each family to build a house considering their situation? If they cannot afford daily food, how will they build a homestead? Let the authority look into this issue seriously, and hunger is real here in addition to drought,” Tjituka stated.
Nxuma Nxumao from Otjombundiro village said the distribution programme is not fair in a sense that only the head of the house qualifies to get food.
“How can a family of more than 15 people be given that small parcel for four months? They must come up with other helpful measures because this is not helpful,” he said.
Nxumao added they are also in a drought period like all other tribes in the country and asked why they are not given monthly drought relief food.
“This is not fair, and where do the government think that we are getting food these other months?” he asked.
Queried on the said concerns, the development planner in the ministry of gender equality, Desiree Masheshe, said they have taken note of the community’s complaints and will attend to them soon.
“We will have an awareness campaign on the food distribution programme plus other developmental projects aimed at benefitting the San community,” she said.
Masheshe said the San people should not only be concerned or pay attention to the government food distribution but also to other projects that might change their lives.
“At least those staying in urban areas are aware of some projects in place, we will try to reach those staying in remote settlements,” said the development planner.
Masheshe further said she would consult her distribution team and gather all complaints to avoid confusion on the matter.
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