The City of Windhoek says it is considering the Ministry of Health and Social Services’ request to use Ramatex hall for medicine storage.
The request comes after medicine shortages have been reported in hospitals.
Earlier this year, minister Esperance Luvindao attributed the shortage of medicine to a lack of adequate storage facilities in the country.
Ministry spokesperson Walters Kamaya told The Namibian last week the ministry is looking for a warehouse for storage purposes and has a number of options, including Ramatex.
“We had a number of options to look at which includes Ramatex. We looked at TransNamib and others as well,” he said.
City spokesperson Harold Akwenye says the council received a request from the ministry last month, however, no decision has been made.
“We received a request from the ministry dated 29 September, the matter is currently under review and is being considered,” he says.
He notes that the council is mindful that Ramatex has been a venue for various sport and recreational activities, and if the request is approved, the municipality will engage affected sport groups to explore suitable alternative venues within the municipal facilities.
“This is to ensure that sporting activities continue without major disruption,” says Akwenye.
National Volleyball Federation (NVF) president Tobias Mwatelulo says the national volleyball team has been using Ramatex for a long time and it is their only pride.
“Khomas-based leagues always happen at Ramatex as the venue has potential to grow sport,” he says.
Mwatelulo says places such as Hage Geingob Stadium do not have the capacity to hold more than two games and are not always available, adding that such places are far from the city and expensive.
“Some events may not take place. With these places, we will be paying 10 times the price. Affordability will become a problem and certain events may not be taking place,” he adds.
NVF held its championships at Ramatex over the weekend.
Boxing promoter Nestor Tobias says if Ramatex is to be occupied by the health ministry, it will risk the growth of sport in Namibia.
He says there are other alternative places for boxing such as the Windhoek Country Club, however, it is not spacious and can only accommodate a few people.
“Ramatex has been used for sport activities including boxing. We use Country Club sometimes but it is very small.
We attract a number of people,” Tobias says.
Ramatex was first established in 2002 under the African Growth and Opportunity Act.
The factory employed over 7 000 workers before closing down in 2008, following reports of poor labour conditions and environmental violations.
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