Namibian Vice President Lucia Witbooi visited the San community at Ombili Location in Eenhana this week, meeting with residents to assess their living conditions and hear firsthand the socio-economic challenges they face daily.
Community members raised a range of concerns during the engagement, including a lack of access to water, electricity, sanitation, housing and serviced land for gardening and small-scale farming activities that could help improve food security and livelihoods.
The visit also brought to the surface deeper social problems within the community, among them alcohol abuse, gender-based violence, poor school attendance among children, and reports that some elderly residents are being robbed of their pension grants through exploitation and alcohol-related challenges.
Officials told the Vice President that the government currently provides transport for approximately 60 learners from the area to attend school. They also noted that three students from the San community successfully graduated from the International University of Management’s Ongwediva Campus last year through government-supported programmes.
Witbooi told the community that land has already been identified for the provision of housing, water and other essential services to improve living conditions in the area. She urged parents and community leaders to support government efforts to keep children in school and ensure they complete their education, and called on community members to safeguard their national documents and make responsible life choices for the benefit of future generations.
During the same official mission to the Ohangwena Region, Vice President Witbooi also paid a courtesy visit to former Namibian President Dr Hifikepunye Lucas Pohamba at his homestead in Okanghudi Village, seeking the former head of state’s wisdom and guidance on matters of national interest, unity and sustainable development.
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