Blind Rundu resident lives alone, survives on tips from loading bags

Matheus Thipete Kakoro (41) is a man who is blind and works as a load master at Cuca Tops taxi rank at Rundu to survive.

Kakoro, who lives alone in the town’s Sun City location, hails from Muthinduko village in Mukwe constituency.

Kakoro last week shared his concerns about his living conditions with The Namibian, including the lack of hygienic toilets and electricity, and his struggles to obtain government grants.

“I was born with eyes problem. I struggled a lot during my tender age at school. I always sat in front of a teacher’s table to read a summary or anything written on the chalkboard,” Kakoro says, adding that his condition led him to drop out of school in Grade 5.

“I came to [Rundu] in 2018 aiming to acquire proper documents since I am not educated and disabled,” he says.

Kakoro says that despite obtaining a declaration from a doctor confirming his disability, he has struggled to receive assistance from a number of offices – including the regional governor, Northern Electricity Distributor, and various ministries and councillors – and nothing has improved. “I do not know what to do and where to get assistance that other people with disabilities receive. Am I not equivalent to other disabilities?” Kakoro asked.

He makes his income by loading luggage at Cuca Tops taxi rank, says Kakoro.

“In the early morning hours I walk to town. I always assist drivers and commuters to buy [goods], and to carry and load their luggage into the car from the shops,” Kakoro says, adding that some villagers give him money instead of asking the drivers to assist them with their purchases. Depending on what customers want loaded onto the vehicles, he said, he makes between N$5 and N$30.

However, Kakoro said sometimes days or a whole week pass without receiving any tips.

“I live alone, the mbashu I am living in was built for me by a good Samaritan, my neighbour. I cried for help from the councillor’s office and other offices to assist me with basic needs. I am blind and sometimes I get lost when it is dawn or dusk,” Kakoro emphasisesd.

He highlighted that he has to rely on community members to assist when he gets lost in his day-to-day activities.

“I walk more than six kilometres to collect firewood in order for me to cook. I always start cooking from 13h00 or 16h00 due to my situation,” Kakoro said. He said his health is at stake given that he has chronic disease.

“I am pleading with the government or anyone to assist me in any way they can,” Kakoro said, adding that he is one of nine siblings, none of whom are employed or have completed tertiary education.

Lukas Matjayi, a driver at the taxi rank, says he does not regard disability as a barrier and describes Kakoro as hard-working, honest and trustworthy.

“People send him to purchase their products or help us clean our car,” Matjayi says.

He urgeds all people with disabilities to follow Kakoro’s example, and do things that can make a difference in their lives. Rundu Urban constituency councillor and vice chairperson of National Assembly Victoria Kauma has said the government is trying to assist all citizens.

“It gets difficult when a certain document is missing or residents do not provide the basic documentation required to get assistance,” Kauma says. However, she adds that in instances like Kakoro’s, only the town council can provide a suitable response.

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