The funeral of the six people who were brutally killed by their teenage relative on 5 April at Usakos sparked dialogue on substance abuse among the youth.
The funeral service honoured the deceased 95-year-old pensioner, Elisabeth !Naruses, her 17-year-old granddaughter, Fenny !Naruses, and her great-grandchildren, Ibraher !Naruses, Raunisha Boer, who were both 6 years of age, as well as three-year-old toddlers Rachel Boer and Emilie !Naruses.
Earlier this month, after the six were murdered, the police arrested a relative who was a minor and has confessed to beating, butchering and burning the bodies.
One of the mothers of the deceased children told nbc's Open File that the lives of her children were stolen by the grip of drug abuse, which also shattered her family.
Bernadus Swartbooi, leader of the Landless People's Movement, emphasised that the problem of substance abuse is not solely the responsibility of government or local councils but a broader social challenge that begins with individuals and spreads through neighbourhoods. He called for open discussions and collective commitment to address the root causes of youth misconduct and substance abuse.
Dr. Emma Kantema, Minister of Gender Equality and Child Welfare, urged the community to reflect on where things have gone wrong and to unite in overcoming these destructive behaviours within homes. She stressed the importance of standing together to combat these evils affecting families.
Namibian Police Regional Commander for the Erongo Region, Commissioner Niklaus Kupembona, acknowledged the numerous social issues impacting the community. He called for collective action, urging everyone to join hands rather than point fingers to effectively tackle these challenges.
The bishop who presided over the funeral, Sageus |Keib of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in the Republic of Namibia (ELCRN), stressed that many young people, including children, are drinking, smoking and using drugs openly.
Such habits, he said, are weapons robbing the youth of a bright future.
The tragedy he noted teaches the country to find solutions.
"We call on the government to increase access to rehabilitation and increase access to mental health services. Our children are sick, mentally sick. We call upon our churches to be bold in addressing addiction and teaching righteousness. We call upon our parents and guardians to monitor and guard their children with love and authority."
According to reports, the Erongo region's lack of facilities makes rehabilitation difficult for young people who abuse substances.
Drugs, including crack cocaine and alcohol, are said to be readily available in various towns of the region.