Windhoek: The Namibia Housing Action Group (NHAG) has called on the government and local authorities to expedite the allocation of land and provision of essential services for the Shack Dwellers Federation of Namibia (SDFN) in the Kavango West region.
According to Namibia Press Agency, NHAG project officer Angusto Kamolokamwe, during his presentation to the National Assembly Standing Committee on Urban and Rural Development and Land Reform, highlighted that SDFN members have successfully built approximately 415 houses across the region. These homes are located in Katjinakatji, Rupara, Kahenge, Mpungu, and Nkurenkuru, with 79 of them completed in the current 2025-26 financial year.
Kamolokamwe pointed out that despite the completion of these houses, essential services remain deficient. In Katjinakatji, the lack of electricity is a pressing concern, while Rupara faces shortages of both water and electricity. Kahenge lacks electricity, Mpungu requires improved water reticulation, and Nkurenkuru needs a proper sewer system as the community currently relies on septic tanks.
He further revealed that in Nkurenkuru alone, approximately 263 SDFN members are still in need of land and housing. 'We requested land in Nkurenkuru in April this year, but we have not received any response,' Kamolokamwe stated, emphasizing the urgency of the situation.
The SDFN, with government funding, aims to construct about 3,106 houses nationwide for the 2025/26 financial year. So far, 309 houses have been built in various regions, including Zambezi and Kavango East, with an additional 223 still under construction. These efforts have already provided shelter to around 1,700 people, supported by loans totaling approximately N$27 million across four regions.
Kamolokamwe noted the challenging living conditions faced by many individuals residing in shacks, describing them as "a microwave" in summer and "a deep freezer" in winter. He emphasized that most SDFN members are low-income earners, such as street vendors, cleaners, and security guards, who do not qualify for commercial bank loans.
He urged the committee to bolster support for community-led housing initiatives, allowing members to take the lead in their own development. Kamolokamwe also called for accelerated land allocation, even if plots are not yet serviced, and increased government investment in water and sanitation services in areas where houses are being constructed.