Niël Terblanché
A group of frustrated residents of the DRC informal settlement of Swakopmund gathered at the municipality’s head office to demand faster and more effective action on housing matters because they were reportedly overlooked by the local authority.
According to Linda Mupupa, the Public Relations Officer of the Swakopmund Municipality, the group of disgruntled people marched to the municipality headquarters this morning last Friday to voice their concerns over the slow progress with the local authority’s way of addressing housing issues.
“The residents intended to present a petition demanding faster and more effective action on housing matters as they feel their group has been overlooked. However, the municipality administration opted not to meet with or accept the petition from the protesting group. This decision was based on several reasons, one of which revolves around the eligibility of the leader spearheading the protest,” she said.
According to Mupupa, the leader of the discontented assembly was previously a beneficiary of housing initiatives and according to official guidelines, does not qualify to represent any formal housing advocacy group.
She said the group that this leader purportedly represents, previously identified as “Build Together”, has encountered a roadblock as it appears that the name “Build Together” is already associated with an existing housing group in the town of which this leader was a member.
“This particular housing group was awarded 80 erven by the Council in June 2023,” she said.
She added that the leader and his faction were requested to adopt a new name and present it to Council to resolve the naming conflict.
“Council is currently in the process of evaluating various aspects tied to the provision of housing to this group and others. This includes assessments of property ownership and determining the members’ ability to afford the prescribed fees associated with receiving housing,” she said. She said the process aims to ensure equitable and sustainable housing solutions but added that it appears to have encountered challenges and disagreements, as evidenced by the protest.
“The Swakopmund Municipality is known for its people-centred approach and has taken significant strides in providing excellent services to all the residents. This commitment is manifested by initiatives such as making land available for housing needs and by ensuring that the community’s well-being remains a top priority,” she said.
According to Mupupa, the Swakopmund Municipality continues to explore innovative ways to enhance the quality of life for all residents.
“Through collaborative efforts and a shared vision, we are dedicated to creating a thriving environment that fulfils the diverse needs and aspirations of our residents with the guidance of our established vision and mission statements,” she said.
She added that the decision of the Council not to accept the petition of the protesters due to the leader’s ineligibility and the naming conflict further highlights the intricacies surrounding the matter as the “Built Together” housing group’s demands have already been addressed and met by Council.
“As the Municipal Council continues its work to assess housing options and facilitate access to housing for its residents, it remains to be seen how these grievances will be addressed and resolved in a manner that benefits all stakeholders involved,” she said.
Mupupa urged residents to attend all public meetings and remain informed of Council’s progress regarding housing-related matters.
