Africa-Press – Namibia. OSHILUNGA SHONKOSHI – For decades, residents of Oshilunga Shonkoshi and surrounding villages relied on muddy earth dams for drinking water, often travelling long distances with donkey carts to fetch cleaner water from other areas.
The water was often unsafe for consumption, exposing families to health risks and making daily life difficult, especially for women and children responsible for collecting water, community members lamented.
Things have changed, for the better following the inauguration of a vital water pipeline that will bring piped water closer to households in Okakwiyu, Kashikomboti and the greater Oshilunga Shonkoshi community.
Headman of Oshilunga Shonkoshi, Ashipala Kawali, said the community has endured years of hardship due to the lack of safe drinking water.
“Since independence we have been relying on water from earth dams. That water is dirty and not healthy for our people,” he said.
He said most residents had no choice but to consume the muddy water when other sources were unavailable.
“Our community has suffered for a long time. People and livestock sometimes depended on the same water from the earth dams. We are grateful that the government has now brought this pipeline closer to our homes,” Kawali said.
A resident, Rosalia Daniel, said the new water infrastructure will ease the burden residents have carried for years.
“We have been suffering drinking dirty water from earth dams. Some families had to rely on donkey carts to fetch clean water from places more than 15 kilometres away,” she said.
Daniel said the journey to collect water was time-consuming and exhausting.
“Sometimes people would wake up very early in the morning to travel long distances just to get water for their families. It was not easy, especially for the elderly and children,” she said.
She expressed gratitude to the government for bringing the pipeline closer to the community.
“This water will change our lives. Now our children will have clean water and our families will live healthier lives,” she said.
Oshana governor Hofni Iipinge said the project represents more than the installation of infrastructure, describing it as a step towards restoring dignity and improving livelihoods in rural communities.
“This occasion is not merely about infrastructure; it is about dignity, improved livelihoods and the fulfilment of a basic human right: access to clean and safe water,” Iipinge said.
He stressed that water plays a central role in development.
“Water is life. Water is development. Water is dignity,” he said.
Iipinge acknowledged that communities in the area have endured years of hardship due to the lack of reliable water sources.
“For many years, communities such as yours have endured challenges in accessing reliable water for household use, agriculture and daily living. Today we mark a turning point,” he said.
He noted that improved access to water will help improve sanitation and public health, support small-scale agriculture and food security, reduce the burden on women and children who travel long distances to fetch water, and stimulate local economic activity.
However, he urged the community to safeguard the new infrastructure.
“This infrastructure now belongs to you, the community. Protect it, maintain it and use it responsibly. Vandalism, misuse or neglect will only reverse the progress we are celebrating today,” he pleaded.
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