Residents of Dolam are disappointed with the City of Windhoek's debt relief programme, which concluded yesterday. 

The initiative, which aimed to write off debts amounting to N$524 million, has left community members feeling abandoned and without recourse.

Dolam resident Johanna Ananus shared her disappointment with the programme, recalling her excitement when the programme was first announced. 

However, she found the process too complicated and failed to collect the necessary documentation in time to apply. 

"They said today is the last day, and I am still busy trying to get my father's death certificate, so if it is that last day, I really don't have any hope anymore. All I am asking is for the city of Windhoek to extend; this way, I can get the death certificate and go back to them and hear what they are saying."

Living with her diabetic and disabled mother, Ananus laments the situation, pleading with the city to extend the programme.

Her family has been without water for the past two years and is forced to fetch water from a tap at the cemetery nearby.

"We used to fetch water from the cemetery, but we would do that at night so that no one saw us; we are not even allowed to borrow from neighbours."

Community activist Shaun Gariseb is also stressed about these sentiments, noting that the end of the debt relief programme leaves many without hope.

"What we were suggesting is for the City of Windhoek to adopt the programme without conditions, because these conditions are the reasons why the city did not reach its target. That is what we are learning now, on the last day of the programme. That speaks to the failure, and failure is caused by these conditions."

The City of Windhoek has written off N$38 million, which the community says is far short of the promised amount.