Chasing the dots ... The Mix: One Namibia, Two Nations
By: Chris Smith
CITIZEN Nahas, as usual when putting on his private hat hit the nail on the head by pointing out the reality that politics in Namibia is working hard to divide our nation. Yes we have those who “have”, through political connection, corruption, nepotism and even honest, hard work and those who increasingly “have less”, the economic slaves. Yes, we are suffering the inevitable consequence of a political system that increasingly is dependent upon who you know and party support and increasingly leading to growing division especially between social groupings (tribal?). As he correctly shows our policies and action are leading to divergance not convergence, two nations. Not healthy!
Kamwanyah equally points out the failure of our academics to progress beyond endlessly pointing out the problems which are well known anyway but never make creative solutions though a lack of civic involvement or interest (ability?), only caring about themselves. Gurirab and Gaoxas/Seibeb (both The Namibian 14 May) point out different perspectives on community development especially that needed to counter the accelerating forces of urban drift (also see census summary). Both are concerned about the growth of shack dwellers in urban areas. And yes, the freedoms associated with independence equally inevitably lead to frantic urbanisation, especially by the young. The rule of thumb being one job will attract 5 new urbanites!
The editorial in this paper of 10 May summarises many views that have been expressed recently that our “system” is inevitably creating massive urban squatter locations throughout the country as resources and capacities can never, in the forseeable future, build adequate brick and mortar housing. It equally points out the crazy land and house prices that exist nationwide but especially in Windhoek and implies how such prices are being socially divisive, thus concurring with Citizen Nahas.
The reality is that urbanisation does fuel commercial growth that, in our environment, the shack is an inevitability to be supported and managed in our environment. We should not look at the shack dwellers as being “bad” but as a part of our Vision 2030 route to industrialisation and the residents to be nurtured within the resources available, not bulldozed into desperation.
To be fair Windhoek administration appears to work hard at this despite obvious zoning and debateable property actions! But there is a serious lack of visible policy to retain land and accommodation for the less fortunate and high level of citizens not involved in the formal cash economy.
The various quoted contributors are thus right, social and community development action are desperately needed, not to eliminate the shacks but to ensure that this segment of our population have shelter with resources that they can afford.
The is where “”MIX” enters the equation. MIX, which has existed as an informal settlement for over 30 years as a consequence of a (then) highly unpopular German’s social generosity, is an existing, working community with social organisation, a culture and an informal, maybe even sometimes illegal economic way of survival. Its works for its 3000 residents while not having running water (4 waters points and drums), electricity (generators for the bars), rubbish accumulation (collected weekly) or sanitation (sprayed bush) it suffers no more from medical failures and social nastiness than any other similar areas.It now is subject to a proposal that, on the surface, appears to be subject to being made a formal residential area.
The municipal plans (thanks urbangreen) are very pretty but looking on the ground take no account of existing “plots”. The current plan would involve bulldozing the whole area and the consequent destruction of a successful working community. No doubt big promises will underlie this destruction with promises of compensation, new homes and the normal political banter; however broad experience of the world tells me all this would be hot air!
My question therefore is why destroy a working community when purchasing adjacent land could provide a plot and shack alternative remaining affordable to those in economic stress. Why install water, sewage and electrical systems, plus rates, that no-one can afford in their early days?
The MIX residents can form the core of the Windhoek northerly extension. They can dig, build and,believe it or not, create! Or do we continue to fan the flames of land greed and push our poor onto the dumps? MIX can show a new way forward turning words into action.
Journalists, academics, planners, honest politicians, real people - see you 18 May, at the old farmhouse at Mix camp. One Namibia, One Nation please.
csmith@mweb.com.na