Windhoek: Vice President Lucia Witbooi on Tuesday conducted a familiarisation visit to the Soweto informal settlement at Outjo in the Kunene Region, where she engaged with members of the Hai//om San community to assess their living conditions. Witbooi was accompanied by Outjo Constituency Councillor, Kleofas Gaingob.

According to Namibia Press Agency, during the visit, the VP interacted with residents and observed the living conditions in the settlement. The focus was on access to basic service delivery, housing, and sanitation for the Hai//om San community, who are among the marginalised groups in the constituency.

Gaingob stated that the visit aimed to assess the living conditions of marginalised communities in Outjo with hopes of bringing development to the community. He highlighted sanitation as a critical challenge, emphasizing that the continued use of bucket system toilets remains a concern. "Our aim is to do away with the bucket system toilets and usher in development for the marginalised communities in Outjo," Gaingob said.

He added that the constituency leadership is committed to improving service delivery and ensuring that no community is left behind in the development agenda. Witbooi urged the community to collaborate with the regional councillor's office to bring development to the informal settlement. "Approach the constituency office of the councillor for any of your complaints and speak up so that your concerns can be heard," Witbooi said to the crowd.

The vice president was in Outjo for the Dr Libertina Amathila Sports Tournament for indigenous and marginalised communities, where she officiated the opening ceremony on Monday.