The Deputy Minister of Marginalised Communities, Royal |Ui|o|oo, who was on a three-day visit to Ohangwena Region at the invitation of Ohangwena Governor Sebastian Ndeitunga, expressed his disappointment over the deplorable accommodation of the San community at Olukula Number One in Okongo Constituency.
The San people still mainly live a nomadic lifestyle at Olukula Number One Village, residing in makeshift structures exposed to weather elements and sleeping on the floor.
The Deputy Minister was not happy to witness their living conditions but said he was pleased at least that they have access to clean drinking water, a kindergarten, and are provided with drought relief food.
He called for more stakeholders to come on board and meet the government halfway in setting up proper decent houses to improve their living conditions.
"It is not conducive, and I am not happy. You can see that after 34 years, look at this meme; this place is not a nice place to sleep. What about if the rain comes? Look here. I think something must be done. I have been talking too much about how we must improve the living conditions of marginalised people, but it is like I am fighting my own battle."
|Ui|o|oo also spoke out against parents who still refuse to send their children to school, asserting that well-educated children are better able to liberate themselves and their families from the shackles of poverty.
"Because education is the greatest equaliser, whether you are from the marginalised community or you are from non-marginalised, as long as you receive a proper education, all the doors will be open for you."
The Head of the Department at Oshisho Combined School, Ferdinand Shiningayamwe, informed the deputy minister's delegation that the school has only 28 San learners registered.
A high rate of absenteeism is another factor among these learners.
Parents were advised to desist from alcohol abuse and smoking and to rather concentrate on productive activities aimed at bettering their lives.
Non-marginalised people were urged to stop the prevalent practice of separating San children from their parents under the pretext of caring for them, when in reality these children end up doing domestic work.
Another practice shunned and condemned was that of people buying drought relief food and other items provided by the government from the San community.