Pohamba slams local exploitation of Angolan children

Former president Hifikepunye Pohamba has raised concern over Angolan child migrants begging in Namibia and the exploitation of vulnerable children by local residents.

He was speaking at the Namibia University of Science and Technology’s Eenhana campus graduation ceremony on Thursday.

“I wish that when Netumbo [Nandi-Ndaitwah] recently visited Angola, she had consulted with me so I could advise her to speak to Angolan president João Lourenço.

“You cannot have the whole area in Angola without schools. It is a very sad situation,” Pohamba said.

He said children from Angola are now travelling long distances to Namibia in search of money, and are often seen begging in the capital.

This, he said, contributes to a negative perception of Namibian children among foreign visitors.

“Those coming to our country say Namibian children are begging on the streets. Of course, we have some, but many of them are Angolan. I hate that,” he said.

Pohamba also lashed out against Namibians who exploit vulnerable Angolan children by employing them in their homes or sending them to cattle posts to tend livestock.

“Can we not end this situation?” he asked.

Ombudsman Basilius Dyakugha last week told the media that Angolan children selling wooden products in Namibia does not constitute child labour, adding that his office has investigated the matter.

HUMANITARIAN CONCERN

Angolan children started moving to Namibia with their parents in early 2021 as a result of hunger in the oil-rich country.

Some of the groups camped in the Ohangwena and Omusati regions.

Most of the children are from the Mwila tribe and lead a semi-nomadic life. They survive by selling wooden products such as knobkerries and cooking spoons.

The Namibian reported in 2022 that 18 babies born to Angolan nationals camping at Etunda in the Omusati region died of malnutrition.

This was revealed by Omusati governor Erginus Endjala upon the repatriation of 1 792 Angolan nationals from Etunda to Angola at the time.

Endjala said during the immigrants’ stay at Etunda, 73 babies were born.

In May last year, a group of Angolan nationals, including minors and their mothers, were repatriated to Angola.

However, a few months later, they were back on the streets of various towns of Namibia selling their products.

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