Vice president Lucia Witbooi has announced a government-led push to develop a comprehensive livelihood and development plan for the Hai-//om community living in and around Etosha National Park.
She says practical action is needed to address long-standing socioeconomic challenges.
Opening a high-level stakeholder meeting at Outjo on Thursday, Witbooi said the initiative follows concerns raised by the Hai-//om community over their living conditions.
She said the government convened a consultative meeting in February involving relevant ministries, where it was resolved that a coordinated plan would be developed to improve the community’s livelihoods.
A multidisciplinary technical team was subsequently deployed to assess conditions at Namutoni, Halali, Okaukuejo, Ombika and Hai-//om resettlement farms bordering the park.
Witbooi said she also visited Ombika and the resettlement farms of Serringkop, Bellalaika and Nuchas this week, alongside ministers, governors and technical officials.
“The evidence we witnessed and the data we collected reaffirmed the need for a coordinated, practical and sustainable government response,” she said.
She said the intervention aligns with the government’s commitment under the Sixth National Development Plan to ensure no Namibian is left behind through inclusive development and improved socioeconomic opportunities for marginalised communities.
Witbooi urged government officials, traditional leaders and other stakeholders to propose practical and implementable solutions capable of restoring dignity and strengthening livelihoods.
The recommendations from the meeting will form part of a comprehensive plan to be submitted to the Cabinet committee on land and social issues before being presented to Cabinet for consideration.
