Efundja a blessing in disguise

Despite the devastating effects of the seasonal floods, northerners have taken the silver lining out of the cloud and are doing brisk business, catching and selling fish.This is evident in most northern areas affected by efundja, where the young and old now spend most of the day catching fish for consumption and commercial purposes.Namibian Sun spent this past weekend in the regions affected by efundja, namely the Oshana, Ohangwena and Omusati regions, observing hectic activity in culverts and streams along the roads.After catching enough fish, the vendors sell the fish along the main roads to passers-by.The fish is sorted and sold in bundles that range from N$10 to N$15 or more, while smaller fish are sold in tins for up to N$20. Some of the fishermen return home late and in some areas, the fishermen work as late as 22:00 along the Outapi-Oshikuku main road in Omusati, on Saturday nights.On Friday morning in Ohangwena Region, near Onhuno, Namibian Sun spotted an 11-year-old boy setting up his mosquito net to catch fish.The Grade 3 learner from Etale Combined School said he was not at school because classes were suspended indefinitely due to the floods.Regarding making use of a mosquito net to catch fish, the boy responded ‘everybody is doing it’ while pointing in a direction where adults too were using the same method to catch fish.The number of fishermen seen in Omusati Region when compared to those spotted in Oshana and Ohangwena were more which is attributed by the closure of more than 60 schools leaving learners resort to fishing as a way of keeping themselves occupied. Apart from the many school-going children spotted, older men and women, mostly unemployed, are also active and some people have erected tents for when they need to take a break. Regarding the method used for fishing, apart from the use of mosquito nets to trap the small fishes, the fishermen also make use of shade nets as well as using hooks to catch bigger fish.OpportunitiesOmusati Region Erginus Endjala said the aftermath of the efundja is not only negative but can be positive too in the sense that it creates jobs for some people.“When water comes it does not only affect us badly but sometimes it can bring returns and assist the public in terms job,” Endjala said.However Endjala quickly used the opportunity to caution the fishermen saying that they should be extra careful when fishing as the water might contain waterborne disease which can have a health impact on them as well as their customers.He also said that the possible presence of snakes in the water should not be ruled out as well and thus people should be very careful.“The danger of course is waterborne diseases, but if there is nothing wrong with the water, it is a blessing the people should enjoy,” Endjala said.Regarding the fishermen making use of mosquito nets to catch fish, Endjala expressed his dismay and said that whoever is found guilty will be dealt with accordingly.“We are mobilising these items to fight malaria and not to catch fish,” Endjala said.KENYA KAMBOWE

Efundja a blessing in disguise

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Namibian Sun 2025-04-04

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Efundja a blessing in disguise

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Namibian Sun 2025-04-04

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