San demand to be heard
Jemima BeukesWINDHOEK
The Hai//com community in the Guinas constituency near Oshivelo say they are unable to report cases to the Namibian Police, clinics and the local settlement office because of the language barrier.They therefore called for the recognition of their traditional leaders, adding that they are persistently shut out of development and educational opportunities.
The San community claimed that efforts at starting businesses - such as a coffin-making project from a few years ago - are futile because of a lack of development support, materials and skills development.
As a result, community members are faced with an overwhelming rate of unemployment amongst the youth, they said.
These concerns, as well as the lack of public toilets, water points and communal taps, were raised during an outreach programme undertaken by members of the National Council.
The community is also in desperate need of multi-lingual teachers at pre-primary schools who can effectively teach San learners, and also demanded to know where the funds directed towards them are going.
Consultation and coordination
“The community called for the establishment of a Hai//om traditional community office for better consultation and coordination for the San community in the area. A community member wanted to know what happened to the Constituency Development Fund as these funds, if revived, can address many of the challenges experienced by the community. The community is calling for the allocation of land and plots for cultivation to feed themselves. They further called for resettlement farms, as many have lost their land and farms through joint ventures with the elites,” a report stated.
The National Council committee recommended that the ministry of urban and rural development and parliament fast-track the tabling and passing of the Regional and Constituency Development Fund Bill.
It also urged parliament to enhance wider public consultation and engagement when bills are discussed and passed.
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The Hai//com community in the Guinas constituency near Oshivelo say they are unable to report cases to the Namibian Police, clinics and the local settlement office because of the language barrier.They therefore called for the recognition of their traditional leaders, adding that they are persistently shut out of development and educational opportunities.
The San community claimed that efforts at starting businesses - such as a coffin-making project from a few years ago - are futile because of a lack of development support, materials and skills development.
As a result, community members are faced with an overwhelming rate of unemployment amongst the youth, they said.
These concerns, as well as the lack of public toilets, water points and communal taps, were raised during an outreach programme undertaken by members of the National Council.
The community is also in desperate need of multi-lingual teachers at pre-primary schools who can effectively teach San learners, and also demanded to know where the funds directed towards them are going.
Consultation and coordination
“The community called for the establishment of a Hai//om traditional community office for better consultation and coordination for the San community in the area. A community member wanted to know what happened to the Constituency Development Fund as these funds, if revived, can address many of the challenges experienced by the community. The community is calling for the allocation of land and plots for cultivation to feed themselves. They further called for resettlement farms, as many have lost their land and farms through joint ventures with the elites,” a report stated.
The National Council committee recommended that the ministry of urban and rural development and parliament fast-track the tabling and passing of the Regional and Constituency Development Fund Bill.
It also urged parliament to enhance wider public consultation and engagement when bills are discussed and passed.
[email protected]
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