Isabel Bento

ARANDIS – The Shack Dwellers Federation of Namibia (SDFN), in collaboration with various partners, will construct 38 houses at Arandis in Erongo region, a first for the town.
The key partners include the Ministry of Urban and Rural Development (MURD), which will fund the construction of 14 houses; First National Bank, Ohorongo Cement and Pupkewitz Foundation, who will jointly fund 17 units, while the SDFN will finance the remaining seven.

At a groundbreaking ceremony held on Tuesday, MURD deputy minister Evelyn !Nawases-Taeyele commended the federation for its efforts in meeting the government halfway in addressing the housing crisis faced by many Namibians.
“This initiative is not just about numbers; it is about 38 families, giving children and future generations a place to call home,” she said.

!Nawases-Taeyele also acknowledged the broader challenge facing Namibia, saying more than 900 000 citizens currently live in informal settlements, largely due to rapid urban migration.

In recognising the scale of the housing crisis, the deputy minister stressed the importance of having partnerships, noting that the government alone cannot meet the housing demand.
“It is through vital partnerships like the one with the SDFN and support from the private sector that we can make meaningful progress,” she said.
For the current financial year, the government has added N$20 million to the N$26 million from private sector partners for the construction of more low-cost housing projects.

Arandis mayor Risto Kapenda acknowledged the significance of the event, emphasising that it marked the culmination of efforts by the council and various stakeholders to improve the lives of residents.

“It was indeed a journey for us to finally get here,” he said referring to the steps taken since the allocation of unserviced land to the SDFN, to the council’s intervention in the 2022/2023 capital budget allocation of N$440 000 for land servicing.

Speaking on behalf of the donors, FNB area manager Joram Kaono highlighted the importance of shelter as a fundamental human right.

“Adequate shelter is essential not just for physical safety, but also for mental and emotional well-being. 

It provides a sense of stability, security and community, contributing to the overall quality of life,” he said.
One of the beneficiaries, Trefeni Mukete, said there are 168 members of the federation in Arandis who started saving in 2007, with 38 of those now being allocated land.
-Nampa