Twenty-one low-income residents of Katjinakatji in the Kavango West Region are now homeowners after benefiting from the Shack Dwellers Federation scheme.

This is the first time residents of Katjinakatji have benefited from the programme.

The project started in 2021 with a membership requirement of N$800.

Under the scheme, youth qualify for a loan of up to N$33,000, while pensioners qualify for up to N$25,000.
The houses consist of one bedroom, a bathroom and a living area.

"We are really happy even though it was a struggle in the beginning. We are people who came from humble backgrounds; we did not have enough knowledge about brick houses," stated new homeowner Virginear Makanga.

"The shack dweller brought us this project to move us from the makeshift house, thatch or corrugated iron sheet houses. This is the first project for the brick house. I had a house made with zinc and clay, but then I later realised that this would be a problem as I kept repairing after a while, and as soon as I heard of this project, I joined without hesitation," says another new homeowner, Wellem Mbangu.

The houses do not, however, have electricity or water connections yet.

"We are surviving like we used to back in the days. We help ourselves in those bushes you see there. Electricity is a problem. Now we buy battery lights; it's dark here. But if we get everything, this is a very beautiful place; we are free, and we are not scared of anything."

"We still do not have water pipes. We have to dig temporary septic tanks, and maybe they will come and give us proper ones after the location is declared. The doors were destroyed by the rain. We have now managed to secure another loan for us to get quality doors, and hopefully by the end of this month we will replace them before the official handover."

The beneficiaries are encouraging others to participate, noting that the loan is not paid off at once and allows for repayment in small amounts without stress.
About 50 people are on the waiting list.