Rundu:The Sauyemwa Centre for the Visually Impaired is appealing to the government to help finalize the land ownership of the property where the center is located.
According to Namibia Press Agency, the appeal was made by Dr. Tauya Muteka, the center's patron, during a visit from Vice President Lucia Witbooi. Dr. Muteka highlighted that although the land was handed over to the visually impaired community by the town council, official documentation confirming ownership has not yet been received.
The uncertainty over land ownership is hindering development efforts at the center, which provides education and skills training to visually impaired individuals from the Kavango East, Kavango West, and Otjozondjupa regions. The lack of ownership documents is also making it difficult to attract investment and secure assistance for infrastructure developments.
Muteka mentioned that the issue was addressed with the town council in May, with an expectation to receive the necessary documentation by June. However, the matter is still unresolved. The Sauyemwa Centre was established in 2008 by visually impaired people and volunteers from the United Kingdom. It receives support from the Ministry of Education, which supplies teaching materials and employs graduates from the institution.
Currently, the center has five staff members, including one teacher, and serves six visually impaired students. Despite the crucial role it plays, the center faces challenges such as land demarcation and infrastructure needs. Originally, the allocated area was larger than what is now recognized, and construction by others around the property has complicated the situation.
Vice President Witbooi called on the regional leadership and the Rundu Town Council to assist the center in securing the land ownership, stressing that non-governmental organizations cannot develop land amid ownership uncertainties. The center aims to further develop its existing facilities, which include accommodation and kitchens, to fulfill its long-term vision of empowering visually impaired individuals.