Windhoek Rural Councillor, Piet Adams, has highlighted the dire challenges faced by the community of Groot |Aub and surrounding areas, such as landlessness and wealth inequality. 

Groot |Aub is a settlement located about 60 kilometres south of Windhoek.

It is part of the Windhoek Rural constituency and was incorporated into the capital in 2017. 

It has around 6,000 residents, primarily small-scale farmers and pensioners, who rely on access to land as their main source of livelihood.

Groot |Aub is a poor community facing significant economic challenges.

The councillor emphasised how the unequal distribution of land has worsened the financial power of wealthy individuals, leaving the locals with no hope of securing land.

"If we look at the current situation in the |Khomas Region, the poor will be poor and the rich will be richer; if our people that fall in the category of the low economic value model cannot accommodate assets equal to N$2 million, they will not be resettled."

Adams urged the government to conduct thorough assessments to prevent land intended for community use from being acquired by private investors, citing the Baumgartsbrumm case as a warning.

"The government should stop the resettlement processes that only benefit a few elites or connected people and acquire farms that can be used for the settlement of groups, not individuals, groups. The government must do a thorough assessment of Dordabis, Stingwater, Audabeb, |Harib, Kanubeb, Kapsfarm, Nuedam, Groot |Aub, Mix Settlement, Satansloch, and Baumgarstbrumm and prioritise it accordingly."

Another major concern raised by the councillor is a lack of basic services in Groot |Aub. 

Despite being incorporated into the City of Windhoek's boundaries after the area's demarcation, Adams expressed frustration that the community still lacks access to essential services like water and electricity.

He accused the City of Windhoek of neglecting the needs of the settlement's residents.

"Almost five years or more have passed since COW took over Groot |Aub, but we are only seeing cars driving around here like headless chickens, and we don't know what they are doing. Now we are facing a neverending water challenge in Groot |Aub that is of great concern to all of us sitting here."

Adams also clarified that, as a councillor, he does not have the mandate to allocate land to the community directly but promised to continue advocating for their rights. 

Community members expressed strong support for their councillor and discussed the daily challenges they encountered.

The Groot |Aub councillor remains steadfast in supporting his residents as he continues to fight for basic rights, land security, and fair treatment amidst growing inequality.