23 SDF members receive houses in Divundu

In Divundu, in the Kavango East Region, 23 low-income earners formally got their homes, which were built by the Shack Dwellers Federation (SDF).

The houses were constructed at a cost of over N$955,000 on land provided for by the Divundu Village Council in 2018 through the Namibia Housing Action Group.

A member of the Shack Dwellers Federation, Fulgentia Mukendenge, says the initiative has impacted many lives.

“It has become an example of resilience, strength, and unity. We stand here today because of the dedication and perseverance of those who believe in the power of community. Shack dwell has become a shining example of what can be achieved when people come together with a common purpose. Out

“As a council, we are proud to be associated with this development, and we encourage the federation to continue in pursuit of housing provision aggressively. Today’s ceremony fulfils one of the council’s co-mandates, and that is our mandate that we have to increase access to adequate and affordable housing  units, noted Divundu Village Council chairperson Christoph Kupembona.

Kupembona says the council and its partners will continue to develop and improve the living standards of its people.

Officially handing over the houses, Minister of Urban and Rural Development Erastus Uutoni expressed appreciation for the federation’s efforts.

The minister further appealed to all local authorities to provide land for both residential and business purposes.

“I am appealing to all local authorities, including Divundu, that next year I want you to avail a piece of land to me, a virgin piece of land. Yes, I want that one, but when you avail that one and then you say this is the demand of people who want to be settled to build houses for the low-income group of society, then I can go and knock at the doors of the Minister of Finance so that Minister can give me money and I will go and service that piece of land that will be our mission next year.”

Construction of 21 more houses has commenced.

The federation has constructed 29 houses since 2013, bringing the total number built to date to 52.

It has 455 members in Divundu, of whom 381 are women and 78 are men.