Report Blasts Govt on Gam Situation - by Petronella Sibeene
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WINDHOEK - Swanu President Usutuaije Maamberua says Gam residents face a bleak future if Government does not come up with remedial measures that would address the high rates of unemployment, poverty and generally, a lack of development.
The opposition party president, who recently visited the Gam community, in his report says the living conditions of the people there are desperate, adding that the people currently can be described as the disadvantaged, dispossessed, displaced and uncared for.
According to Maamberua, Gam area was in the former administration identified as a game reserve, given that area's local poisonous plant that is deadly if consumed by livestock.
However, Government allegedly forced the people to settle in what he called a hostile environment.
The situation is even more appalling after Government confiscated livestock of the farmers who illegally cut and crossed the veterinary fence, he says.
Without income-generating possibilities or programmes in place, most families face serious hunger, with Maamberua appealing to the Emergency Management Unit in the Office of the Prime Minister to provide food, water, stable shelter and blankets.
"No milk for the children and the elderly, no food, no money for transport even to reach the clinic or school," says Maamberua's report.
The report further reveals the housing and sanitation conditions for people particularly those in Tsumkwe village, where their livestock were transported, as worse than shacks. The shelters are "partly made of elephant grass, corrugated iron sheets and mere plastic pieces and any other rubbish material they can lay their hands on. This is the appropriate description of their dwellings," the report says.
Apart from that, the community lacks access to health facilities, as the nearest facility is about 200 km away from the area.
While this distance might not be peculiar to the Gam community, their situation has worsened, as they do not have transport of their own or money to pay for transport. This situation calls for attention from the Ministry of Health and Social Services, he says.
The poverty and lack of income-generating activities have made it almost impossible for families to send their children to school and those that have done so are reported to have accumulated debts in tuition and hostel fees.
Maamberua called on the Ministry of Education to write off the debts until such a time the situation in that area would be deemed improved.
"No doubt these people are in a desperate situation and need assistance urgently. What is particularly needed are "¦ fundamentally, provision of means of livelihood," Maamberua says.
This situation, according to Maamberua, calls on the Ministry of Lands and Resettlement to identify and avail land where these families can be resettled, while the Minister of Gender Equality and Child Welfare should look into the plight of women and children.
Maamberua visited Gam community a week ago and was accompanied by his advisor Uateza Kazapua, his assistant Oupa Muesee and some Swanu members from Eiseb Block.
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The opposition party president, who recently visited the Gam community, in his report says the living conditions of the people there are desperate, adding that the people currently can be described as the disadvantaged, dispossessed, displaced and uncared for.
According to Maamberua, Gam area was in the former administration identified as a game reserve, given that area's local poisonous plant that is deadly if consumed by livestock.
However, Government allegedly forced the people to settle in what he called a hostile environment.
The situation is even more appalling after Government confiscated livestock of the farmers who illegally cut and crossed the veterinary fence, he says.
Without income-generating possibilities or programmes in place, most families face serious hunger, with Maamberua appealing to the Emergency Management Unit in the Office of the Prime Minister to provide food, water, stable shelter and blankets.
"No milk for the children and the elderly, no food, no money for transport even to reach the clinic or school," says Maamberua's report.
The report further reveals the housing and sanitation conditions for people particularly those in Tsumkwe village, where their livestock were transported, as worse than shacks. The shelters are "partly made of elephant grass, corrugated iron sheets and mere plastic pieces and any other rubbish material they can lay their hands on. This is the appropriate description of their dwellings," the report says.
Apart from that, the community lacks access to health facilities, as the nearest facility is about 200 km away from the area.
While this distance might not be peculiar to the Gam community, their situation has worsened, as they do not have transport of their own or money to pay for transport. This situation calls for attention from the Ministry of Health and Social Services, he says.
The poverty and lack of income-generating activities have made it almost impossible for families to send their children to school and those that have done so are reported to have accumulated debts in tuition and hostel fees.
Maamberua called on the Ministry of Education to write off the debts until such a time the situation in that area would be deemed improved.
"No doubt these people are in a desperate situation and need assistance urgently. What is particularly needed are "¦ fundamentally, provision of means of livelihood," Maamberua says.
This situation, according to Maamberua, calls on the Ministry of Lands and Resettlement to identify and avail land where these families can be resettled, while the Minister of Gender Equality and Child Welfare should look into the plight of women and children.
Maamberua visited Gam community a week ago and was accompanied by his advisor Uateza Kazapua, his assistant Oupa Muesee and some Swanu members from Eiseb Block.
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