Homeless parliament urges president for housing solution

The Homeless People’s Parliament (HPP) want president Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah to come up with a lasting solution to shelter people living at the Katutura Multi-purpose youth complex in her maiden state of the nation address.

HPP chairperson Romanzo Steenkamp yesterday told Desert FM that the homeless people are living in deplorable conditions.

“Six plus months ago, I visited them and some of them are still living in deplorable conditions. I asked myself what is the remedy. Are the people going to stay forever?” Steenkamp questioned.

He said there is a need to look at land policies because it is a basic human right, along with access to safety and water.

Steenkamp pointed out that the influx of people to Windhoek has led to a dense population. He questioned what plans the government has to address this, as well as crime which is on the rise.

Landless People’s Movement national youth league leader Duminga Ndala wants the president to provide deliberate and decisive actions to combat gender-based violence (GBV) and support survivors.

“Namibia has entered into an era of diabolic acts of violence. It is, therefore, our expectation that the head of state outlines a clear national framework that includes prevention, survivor support, and stronger enforcement mechanisms to end the scourge of GBV in our society,” she says.

She also expects the president to announce clear and actionable plans for the roll-out of the much-anticipated Sovereign Welfare Fund. “This fund must not remain a rhetorical promise. It must be operationalised into tangible, well-resourced programmes that directly confront the rampant and widespread youth unemployment in Namibia,” she says.

Former United Democratic Front Youth League secretary general Michael Skini says they are expecting Nandi-Ndaitwah to address these issues and make sure they are implemented by relevant ministries to change the lifestyle of the Namibian youth.

He says there is a need for the expansion of vocational training programmes to equip youth with practical skills that are in demand in the job market.

Increased availability of scholarships for higher education and vocational training, particularly for underprivileged youth, is also needed, he says.

The government has allocated N$12.8 billion for development capital projects, which includes the construction of new stadiums.

All People’s Party leader Ambrosius Kumbwa says he is expecting the president to provide the status quo of the economy of the country amid high unemployment and geopolitical trends.

“I am expecting the president to tell us where our economy is currently at, as well as what the government plans on doing particularly about unemployment,” he says. Action Democratic Movement president Erastus Shuumbwa yesterday said he wants the president to announce plans on how the government is going to implement programmes.

“I always say, you can have great ideas and come up with programmes, but if you do not implement them they will not change anything,” he said.

Namibia Local Businesses Association spokesperson Marius Nangolo says as a business sector they want the president to open up capital projects to allow local businesses to benefit.

“She must also open up capital projects to local companies by relaxing the tender process to accord upcoming local companies a chance to compete and benefit, and not only big companies,” he says.