Otjomuise flood victims unhappy with relocation site
Some Otjomuise residents displaced by recent flash floods after erecting shacks in a riverbed say their relocation to an open area near the Ongos Valley reservoir has worsened their situation.
Last Friday, newly elected Windhoek mayor Ndeshihafela Larandja, along with City councillors and members of the municipality's disaster and risk management department, assessed the relocation area during a site visit.
The flood victims say they were relocated to Farm 508 after some initially rejected the move but later changed their minds.
Most residents now bemoan the relocation, citing limited access to basic services like electricity and transportation.
The site features two 10 000-liter water storage tanks, which residents rely on for cooking, bathing and laundry.
Two weeks ago, municipal staff visited potential relocation sites to assist households affected by the recent floods in Havana and Otjomuise.
Roads such as Matshitshi, Mersin and Ganzi were severely impacted, with 282 households and a total of 1 189 residents affected. Eight houses were completely washed away in the floods.
New home
During the visit on Friday, around 20 to 25 relocated residents were present. Among them, a 24-year-old mother and tourism graduate from Triumphant College, speaking anonymously, shared her experience. She claimed the City had promised to provide a school and clinic.
"We were moved shortly after the flooding on 4 January," she explained.
"They [City] provided transport for the relocation, but some of the iron sheets from our shacks were swept away by the flood, while others were too damaged to reuse. Many of us had to downsize because we didn’t have enough materials to rebuild as before."
The 24-year-old mother of a seven-month-old boy said she sells tinned food and other items to make a living.
"I am an unemployed graduate. We don’t have food or transport," she told this publication.
Residents said they occasionally receive helpful donations, with each household recently gifted a bag of clothing from generous donors.
"We cook on gas, which the City of Windhoek refills occasionally," one resident added.
‘Most of are happy’
However, Larandja on Friday maintained that, in her view, the families are satisfied with the relocation area.
"So far, most of them have settled in the new location," the mayor said.
"However, I’ve received several questions regarding the situation for both primary and tertiary education and how learners will be accommodated," she added.
She said in line with this, the education ministry and Khomas Regional Council have identified sites for school construction, and a temporary solution has been proposed, which includes liaising with school principals to integrate students into nearby schools.
Larandja noted that while this is a temporary solution, it cannot serve as a permanent arrangement and suggested that transport be provided to help students reach their respective learning institutions.
Last Friday, newly elected Windhoek mayor Ndeshihafela Larandja, along with City councillors and members of the municipality's disaster and risk management department, assessed the relocation area during a site visit.
The flood victims say they were relocated to Farm 508 after some initially rejected the move but later changed their minds.
Most residents now bemoan the relocation, citing limited access to basic services like electricity and transportation.
The site features two 10 000-liter water storage tanks, which residents rely on for cooking, bathing and laundry.
Two weeks ago, municipal staff visited potential relocation sites to assist households affected by the recent floods in Havana and Otjomuise.
Roads such as Matshitshi, Mersin and Ganzi were severely impacted, with 282 households and a total of 1 189 residents affected. Eight houses were completely washed away in the floods.
New home
During the visit on Friday, around 20 to 25 relocated residents were present. Among them, a 24-year-old mother and tourism graduate from Triumphant College, speaking anonymously, shared her experience. She claimed the City had promised to provide a school and clinic.
"We were moved shortly after the flooding on 4 January," she explained.
"They [City] provided transport for the relocation, but some of the iron sheets from our shacks were swept away by the flood, while others were too damaged to reuse. Many of us had to downsize because we didn’t have enough materials to rebuild as before."
The 24-year-old mother of a seven-month-old boy said she sells tinned food and other items to make a living.
"I am an unemployed graduate. We don’t have food or transport," she told this publication.
Residents said they occasionally receive helpful donations, with each household recently gifted a bag of clothing from generous donors.
"We cook on gas, which the City of Windhoek refills occasionally," one resident added.
‘Most of are happy’
However, Larandja on Friday maintained that, in her view, the families are satisfied with the relocation area.
"So far, most of them have settled in the new location," the mayor said.
"However, I’ve received several questions regarding the situation for both primary and tertiary education and how learners will be accommodated," she added.
She said in line with this, the education ministry and Khomas Regional Council have identified sites for school construction, and a temporary solution has been proposed, which includes liaising with school principals to integrate students into nearby schools.
Larandja noted that while this is a temporary solution, it cannot serve as a permanent arrangement and suggested that transport be provided to help students reach their respective learning institutions.
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