Walvis Bay residents continue to volunteer for clean-up campaigns as a response to the waste crisis in the harbour town.

The Walvis Bay Rural Constituency Youth Forum organised the latest cleanup campaign at Kuisebmond.

This follows two other campaigns led by the Independent Patriots for Change and concerned community members on the 3rd and 7th of May.

There have been repeated complaints over cleanliness in the harbour town, as piles of rubbish occupy the majority of open spaces at Kuisebmund.

Many, such as Virginia Geldenhuys, whose house is located across from an illegal dumpsite, are concerned about the health risks.

"It's horrible," she said, adding that "I cannot even open my doors and windows because there are too many flies. Some people arrive in their cars to dump waste, while others come here to urinate and relieve themselves. And if you say something to them, they tell you they will beat you. Now, who am I? I'm just an elderly person. Taxi drivers also stop here to take a piss, and then they continue driving. It's awful. Sometimes this rubbish stays here for a month or more."

Ruben Shikongo is an employee at the Walvis Bay Rural Constituency Office and says the authorities are aware of the challenges faced by the community.

"A lot of people come to our office, and they are complaining about the smell and the dirtiness surrounding it. Inside, there are a lot of flies; once you come here in the morning, there are a lot of flies, and you cannot even be able to breathe. You cannot eat something because there are many flies. The situation here is not good."

Patrisia Munyala serves as the Chairperson of the Walvis Bay Rural Constituency Youth Forum. She too participated in the cleanup campaign out of concern for the community.

"People are wearing masks here because the area is very dirty and has a strong odour. I believe there are also some areas where residents are using flying toilets, which is not acceptable."

Residents have endured an ongoing waste crisis, with dustbins overflowing as municipal trucks remain out of service, while new vehicles are expected to arrive in September.

Therefore, the Walvis Bay Rural Constituency Youth Forum contacted community members, leaders, and companies to seek assistance for a clean-up campaign. 

"We are trying to educate our community members to reduce littering and avoid dumping waste in any location. Additionally, we want to inform the municipality about the importance of strengthening their relationships with both the cleaning staff and community members."

Community members called on the municipality and on sponsors to provide skip rubbish containers at the various illegal dumping spots until a sustainable solution is reached.

Organisers and the town's youth have all promised to continue their volunteer work.