Twenty-one residents of Katjinakatji in the Kavango West Region are now proud homeowners after officially receiving houses built through the Shack Dwellers Federation of Namibia.
The housing structures, valued at N$35,000 each, were handed over to the beneficiaries by the Chairperson of the Kavango West Regional Council, Philipus Tenga.
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 a loan of up to N$25,000.
The houses consist of one bedroom, a bathroom and a living area.
"I should inform the nation, Honourable Chairperson, that what we are seeing here started with an idea from an individual. This idea was shared in the ears of the others. It was no longer an idea, but it was agreed upon and later became a decision. The decision that was taken by the few individuals that sat one day under the tree, and they agreed that the best thing to do for us to implement our idea is to approach the Shack Dweller Federation in the region. Yes, the Sheikh Dweller was approached, and they said, 'Yes, we are going to assist you," said Mankupi Constituency Councillor, Lukas Muha.
For the decent houses to come to reality, Telecom Namibia donated materials worth N$50,000. The COMSO Fishing company donated N$15,000 to Katjinakatji shack dweller.
"Because a home is never just built with bricks and mortar. It is built through the contribution of many hands. It takes families who are willing to save and work towards a better future. It takes communities that organise and support one another. It takes partners who are prepared to invest. It takes people who are working quietly behind the scenes to ensure that plans become reality."
The land has been demarcated into 108 plots, of which 21 have been constructed so far.
Chairperson of the Kavango West Regional Council, Philipus Tenga, said, "I admire you for focusing your minds and your energies on addressing the causes of inequality at a time when our nation is faced with acute housing shortages and other social disparities. Director of Proceedings, ladies and gentlemen, the government is continuing its effort to bring services closer to the people and advance its effort to bring services closer to the people. As we are standing here today, the services are now here in Katjinakatji, which is now the houses that we are going to hand over."
A request has been made to the Ministry of Industry, Mines and Energy to electrify the location and provide a rural water supply to provide adequate water supply.
The beneficiaries expressed gratitude and encouraged others to participate.
This is the first time residents of Katjinakatji have benefited from the programme.
49 new applications have been received with only 20 houses to be constructed for the second phase.