Nanso calls on members to join land servicing

The Namibia National Students’ Organisation (Nanso) has called on all its members and alumni to support the Massive Urban Land Servicing Project that will clear 200 000 residential plots countrywide. This follows an agreement between land activists of the Affirmative Repositioning movement and the government to address land and housing challenges faced by millions in both urban and rural local authority administered areas. The AR had given the government a July 31 ultimatum to make plots available, failing which the land would be occupied illegally. “We call on young engineers, plumbers, artisans, electricians, those that just graduated from the institutions of higher learning to assist government efforts,” said Vincent Shimutwikeni, Nanso spokesperson. “Our call is for all Nanso alumni who have experienced and can relate to the hardships students go through living in shacks.” According to the agreement between the government and AR, the period between July 29 and August 5 will be dedicated to a nationwide clearing of identified urban land. Shimutwikeni’s call to current and former members is to complement the government’s positive response by coming forward with donations in cash, expertise, in the form of labour or in kind that can contribute to the servicing of land. “The first details have been released, which is the clearing of bushes in Goreangab Extension 4, Windhoek [today]. We call on those whose school books are in order and have free time, to assist where possible, not only in Windhoek, but in all the towns.” Shimutwikeni added that any form of help is welcome, from pushing a wheelbarrow, to raking, or fetching water for those working on the land. “Let us work together with our government on this massive urban land servicing programme as we strive to build what we can finally call home.” He congratulated both the government and AR for reaching an agreement days before today’s deadline. “On May 27, 2015 we released a statement affirming our organisation’s position on the land debacle across the country. This was due to the fact that we identify with the struggle of the landless because these are the parents of our members as well as our alumni.” He noted that before the Nanso rank and file become students, they are first members of the community. WINDHOEK ELVIS MURARANGANDA