Africa-Press – Namibia. THE Samora Machel constituency has built a shack worth about N$5 000 for a Windhoek family of seven who have been living under a rock for 10 years.
The Swapo-led constituency has funded the project after The Namibian reported on the family’s living conditions last year.
The family comprises Jacobine Beukes (42), her husband, Luther Uazeua (42), and their five children.
The family moved to Windhoek in 2011 in search of a better life after being evicted from a farm near Rehoboth.
They settled against a rock at Tlhabanelo 3 on the outskirts of Windhoek in the Samora Machel constituency near Goreangab.
The rock acted as a wall and roof on one side of their shelter, which is located on top of a hill.
The family has lived there until last month when the government, through the constituency office, built them a shack.
Samora Machel constituency councillor, Nestor Kalola, says he is happy to see the family in their new home.
“It is inhumane for a family to live in conditions like that. I organised through the Khomas Regional Council to get some materials for needy people in the constituency,” he says.
Previous councillors have been made aware of the family’s predicament, but this was to no avail.
“I am proud of responding to the needs of the people. I will continue doing so for the whole constituency,” Kalola says.
He estimates the materials required for building the shack to be worth about N$5 000.
The family’s new home was built on 17 December.
“I feel better to have a new house. It’s better than where we lived. For 10 years we have been living under a rock.
“Now I am on the ground . . . I am very happy,” Beukes said this week.
The new shack has two rooms, which are not properly joined together due to a lack of additional zinc plates.
“There are not enough zinc. This is why some of the things are still there [under the rock]. We need to get additional zinc to accommodate everyone. The kids are too many,” Beukes said.
She said she is thankful for the house, but appealed to members of the public to help the family with household goods and donations to buy stationery and other basic items her children need for school.
One of Beukes’ children is in Grade 7, but the family cannot afford to further her education beyond primary school, she said. Community activist Isdor Kamati, who helped to construct the shack, says the project involved a team effort by community activists and the constituency office.
The Samora Machel constituency is home to more than 50 000 households.
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