Katjinakatji:Twenty-one families have been provided with new houses at the Katjinakatji Growth Point in Kavango West. The Shack Dwellers Federation of Namibia (SDFN) facilitated the handover of these homes to improve access to affordable shelter for low-income families.
According to Namibia Press Agency, each house is valued at N$35,000, making the total investment in the project N$735,000. The handover ceremony was led by Kavango West Regional Council chairperson Fillipus Tenga and National Council chairperson Lukas Muha. Tenga, reading a speech on behalf of the Minister of Urban and Rural Development, James Sankwasa, emphasized the importance of cooperation among government, businesses, and communities to tackle the housing challenges faced by low-income households.
Sankwasa highlighted the right of all citizens to decent and affordable housing. He encouraged the new homeowners to maintain their houses and complete any remaining work within two months. He expressed gratitude to SDFN and its partners, including Ohorongo Cement, FNB, and the Pupkewitz Foundation, whose financial support has facilitated the construction of 592 houses across the nation since 2016. Government funding to the federation has reached N$272.7 million, aiding in the construction of 7,282 houses.
The government is committed to continuing its support for community-based housing groups, Sankwasa assured, urging local authorities to provide serviced land. He praised the Kavango West Regional Council for supplying land in Katjinakatji and commended the federation's focus on community-led development.
Willem Mbangu, a representative of the beneficiaries, explained that the local community organized itself by forming a committee and saving small amounts weekly to initiate the housing project. The community members contributed by making bricks and collaborating with builders, with financial support from the governor's office, Telecom Namibia, and the regional council for building materials.
Mbangu stated that the federation has more than 30,000 members nationwide, with savings exceeding N$45 million, and has built over 11,000 houses since 1998. In Kavango West alone, 402 houses have been constructed, including 192 in Nkurenkuru, 116 in Rupara, 43 in Kahenge, 30 in Mpungu, and 21 in Katjinakatji. He urged for ongoing assistance and requested the provision of essential services like water, electricity, sewerage, and roads in developing areas.