Community Development Worker and activist Rosa Namises has called on the City of Windhoek to allow citizens to explore and utilise unoccupied municipal areas to positively showcase the landscape.

Namises made the call following what she termed unfair treatment by the City of Windhoek employees when they demolished a temporary shade structure where Namises and her children were camping at farm #Goas.

About 1,000 inhabitants are currently living on the 8,000-square-metre farm.

Namises runs the Dolam home of over twenty children and took the holiday as an opportunity to explore nature as a healing, safe, and educational experience for the children as per the norm.

However, the adventure was cut short when the city's employees suddenly appeared and demolished the temporary structure, accusing her of illegally residing there.

She explained, however, that they were simply on an adventurous trip with her family, while the structure was to shelter them from rain and store food.

This was the second time it had happened, she claimed.

Namises also explained that she followed the right channels before arriving at Farm #Goas.

"The first structure was demolished; it was not occupied; no one was living there, just preparing for the children. Then I put up another one; it was demolished. I'm really sad about it, asking the question why. I'm being told I'm illegally here, but I know that all of the people living here are illegal. I have a concern: the children really want to be here, and they have seen what happened and asked the officers why they are doing this."

The #Goas local development committee vice chairperson, Ruben |Khoeseb, explained that talks are underway with the City of Windhoek regarding ownership of land at the farm.

He further explained that Namises did nothing wrong by camping in the unoccupied space.

"The kids were ordered to go out of the shade and hammer the place down... The law is very clear: if you find someone occupying a structure, you must have an eviction order. We are negotiating to gain ownership of land while giving opportunities to the community to have picknicks and enjoy the area. There's nothing wrong; it's not like they are cutting down trees."

Namises further explained that such areas could be utilised for educational purposes about the country's diverse nature, including the trees and animals.

The activist has also been assisting the #Goas community by providing the necessary support and advice.

 from the City of Windhoek has agreed to meet with Namises soon to resolve the matter.