Homelessness a humanitarian crisis
In partnership with Huawei, MTC has donated N$10 million for low-cost housing to the Shack Dwellers Federation.
President Hage Geingob believes that the situation in informal settlements is a humanitarian crisis and said that there is no other way of looking at it.
He said this on Monday evening when MTC and Huawei announced a N$10-million donation to the Namibia Shack Dwellers Federation for building 250 low-cost houses throughout the country. The president said the government cannot give up on the fight until every Namibian has a home where they can feel safe.
“With so many challenges and dangers confronting shack dwellers, life is difficult and undignified. Shack fires, unstable family lives and lack of electricity are just some of the challenges they face on a daily basis.
“These are Namibians with real problems and who lack the basic necessities. These are our brothers and sisters. We cannot stand by idly while they suffer.
“We can no longer be part of a society which turns a blind eye to the agony of others. If we witness social injustice and choose to do nothing about it, we are part of the problem and not the solution,” said the president.
The donation was announced by MTC executive Tim Ekandjo at gala dinner celebrating ten years of partnership between MTC and Chinese electronics manufacturer Huawei on Monday evening.
“It is earnestly disheartening that after so many years of independence, we are still denying our people access to basic fundamental human rights by inflating and charging unreasonable exorbitant prices for houses,” Ekandjo said. He added that a house is not a privilege but a societal necessity for ensuring people's safety.
According got him the proceeds of MTC's 081Every1Fest promotion were also handed over to the Shack Dwellers Federation.
JEMIMA BEUKES
He said this on Monday evening when MTC and Huawei announced a N$10-million donation to the Namibia Shack Dwellers Federation for building 250 low-cost houses throughout the country. The president said the government cannot give up on the fight until every Namibian has a home where they can feel safe.
“With so many challenges and dangers confronting shack dwellers, life is difficult and undignified. Shack fires, unstable family lives and lack of electricity are just some of the challenges they face on a daily basis.
“These are Namibians with real problems and who lack the basic necessities. These are our brothers and sisters. We cannot stand by idly while they suffer.
“We can no longer be part of a society which turns a blind eye to the agony of others. If we witness social injustice and choose to do nothing about it, we are part of the problem and not the solution,” said the president.
The donation was announced by MTC executive Tim Ekandjo at gala dinner celebrating ten years of partnership between MTC and Chinese electronics manufacturer Huawei on Monday evening.
“It is earnestly disheartening that after so many years of independence, we are still denying our people access to basic fundamental human rights by inflating and charging unreasonable exorbitant prices for houses,” Ekandjo said. He added that a house is not a privilege but a societal necessity for ensuring people's safety.
According got him the proceeds of MTC's 081Every1Fest promotion were also handed over to the Shack Dwellers Federation.
JEMIMA BEUKES
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