By Marx Itamalo|
THE once inactive and sleepy settlement of Tsintsabis in Oshikoto region is slowly catching up with the rest of the developing world following some new developmental initiatives that took shape a few months ago.
This is according to the settlement chief and head Mr Thaneb Geelbooi.
Geelbooi had in past interviews lamented the lack of development in his community. He stressed it was the source of the social evils devouring his community, especially the youth.
Last week, the chief, informed the Omutumwa that two developmental initiatives have warmed his heart. This comes in a form of a brickmaking project that was recently established at the settlement and a community garden that also took shape a few months back.
“As we speak there is some development taking place. A community member just recently established a brickmaking project for the community,” he said in a telephone communication with Omutumwa.
“Here, some youths will earn an income byworking at the project. The bricks will be sold to the business community and farmers around the settlement.”
Geelbooi pointed out that the brick making project was set up by a community member and employs six community members.
Another project which excited the community chief is a community garden which was also established at the settlement at the beginning of February this year.
Geelbooi said that the community garden has started selling vegetables to the community and a local school.
“If you look around, our people are very much vulnerable and did not even have an idea how to start a backyard garden. Someone from Tsumeb came here and assisted the people to set up the garden,” he stressed adding that the garden is being run and managed by selected community members who also overlook its finances.
“We made sure to include many women in the garden project because they are the most vulnerable and unlikely to come across any job opportunity unlike their male counterparts,” he pointed out.
Geelbooi said the brick making community project although is privately-owned, it is a good initiative since it has created employment to community members.
He pointed out that the garden was set up with finances from a donor who wants to remain anonymous.
“The person who assisted with the garden is a prominent figure and does not want her name mentioned for political reasons.”
Ten community members work at the garden, which is on the outskirts of the settlement, where they produce cabbage, onions, tomatoes and other vegetables, Geelbooi indicated.
Asked how he believe these two projects would alleviate poverty and improve the livelihoods of his people, the chief elucidated: “What I want to tell you here is that there are many people in Tsintsabis who go for a week without seeing a dollar, especially the youth who don’t get any government benefits like some of the elderly here.
“So, if someone is able to work at one of those projects and gets even N$400 per month, is not that enough? I believe these two projects can make a difference and the results are already starting to show,” he pointed out.
Speaking to Omutumwa from Tsintsabis, two youths from the settlement expressed optimism about their future prospects.
Each one of them is employed at one of the projects.
Desmond Haraseb said that his future looks bright. “For the past two months that I have been employed here, things look good. I was able to buy a few items and settle some bad debts with my salary,” the grade 7 drop-out said.
Another youth, Sussie Eichas, said working at the garden has changed her life. She noted that in the past, her fellow youth and her would be loitering around the settlement drinking or smoking to pass the time with nothing productive to do.
“I still do smoke and drink but not in the morning and during the day,” Eichas said.
“Now we are occupied most of the time, and there is no more time to do those bad things. It is just the same with my other fellow workers.”
She indicated that although they have not received a proper salary yet, they are optimistic when they start harvesting large quantities of vegetables.
Geelbooi calls on investors to come on board and do business in Tsintsabis.
“People say Tsintsabis is a remote and boring place. I disagree. We are strategically located and if one can for instance bring a guesthouse or hotel with entertainment facilities, they will make good business.
“We also need an institution like a vocational training centre. People will come from all the nearby places to attend here because Tsumeb is far.”
In the photo: Tsintsabis settlement chief and head Mr Thaneb Geelbooi.
