Christmas came early to some families from the Aus settlement in the ||Kharas Region after they received keys for their new houses. 

The houses were constructed under the Shack Dwellers Federation of Namibia's (SDFN) housing programme. 

The construction began after the ||Kharas Regional Council allocated 18 plots to new house beneficiaries. 

The council leases the 300 square metres to the beneficiaries for a monthly rental fee of N$75. 

Sherita Herero, one of the new homeowners, said, "I am incredibly happy about my newly constructed house. I feel happy. And excited to finally have a place of my own. I used to live with my mother, but now I have stepped out from under her wings. I am independent – a big girl standing on my own."

Residents of Aus have also expressed relief and optimism over the water, sewer and electricity bulk services infrastructure development and road construction projects currently underway at the settlement. 

They say the development brings hope and will improve everyday life at the tiny settlement. 

The government funded the projects at a cost of N$15 million. 

Another resident, Wilfred Wilson, speaking on behalf of the residents, described their excitement over the new developments. 

"I am grateful for the development taking place at Aus. It may be a tiny settlement, but now with the ongoing progress, it's steadily growing and becoming bigger."

The bulk service infrastructure and road construction projects are set for completion at the end of January next year.