Keetmans waste pickers eager to vote
KEETMANSHOOP – Destitute waste pickers, who have made the Keetmanshoop dumpsite their permanent home due to hardship, say they will be voting in the upcoming regional council and local authority elections, with high hopes of seeing their current living conditions improved.
“Me and the group staying here feel like rejects and are tired of living under such deplorable, unhygienic conditions,” said 32-year-old Elvis Plaatjie, adding they are forced to eke out a living while sleeping in makeshift structure.
“We are appealing to whoever wins these elections to please come to our rescue and provide us with decent living as fellow Namibians.”
The less fortunate citizen continued elected leaders should provide them with a piece of land and material to construct proper shacks to keep them away from the unhygienic and dangerous dumpsites.
“Please also consider us when having food or cash for work programmes, as we are still fit to take on any kind of job,” he said.
Hendrik Stefanus, who lives in the !Gereres informal settlement at the town, shared his ordeal of misery, loss of hope and agony with this reporter.
“I live here now for the past ten years, but nothing in terms of our poor living conditions has changed ever since,” said the 24-year-old.
He went on to say they have no access to land, proper sanitation, electricity and employment opportunities. Stefanus continued that this time, he will rather vote for a political party that can address all their challenges and provide them with a place to stay, human basic services and a means of income.
Also having high hopes and expectations when voting in the upcoming elections is Melanie Afrikaner (22), another resident of the informal settlement.
“Due to economic hardships, I could not finish school and I am suffering heavily, having being unemployed for the past five years,” she said.
Afrikaner also said she wants to vote but does not know if her voice will make any difference.
“All I want is to also have decent living with provision for my basic needs and employment, and I hope the party that will win the elections will this time around make a difference in our living conditions,” she said.
The elections are slated for 25 November.