Chief Fredrik Langman as the recognised traditional leader of the Aao//aen Traditional Authority in the Omaheke Region has requested an audience with President Hage Geingob at Skoonheid. Chief Langman’s jurisdiction goes across 4 constituencies, the Kalahari, Okurukambe, Eiseb and Otjimbinde. The President delegated Hon. Pea Muselenga, Minister of Urban and Rural Development and Hon. Minister Royal /Ui/o/o the Deputy Minster under the Vice President’s office, marginalised communities division to attend the meeting on his behalf on the 7th of March 2019.
The Minister and Deputy Minister arrived accompanied by Hon. Governor of Omaheke Mr Festus Uitele and his special advisor Mr Pijoo Nganade, Okurukambe constituency Councillor Hon. Rafael Mokaleng, Mr Cassius Humavindu from MLR Omaheke office and other delegates including the Namibian Police Force. Approximately 130 to 150 San community members from as far as Talismanus, Drimiopsis, Epikiro RC Pos 3, and Otjinene came well prepared to make use of the opportunity to present concerns and pose questions on some burning issues.
Hon. Royal /Ui/o/o during his speech clarified questions addressed to his office regarding the drought relieve program; that the program under his ministry was directed to the San, Owathemba and the Himba communities. The Hon. asked the San community to support their children and push them to study hard, complete school and find good jobs. Chief Langman asked “Where were the San during the Herero/Nama genocide that they are assumed not to be affected? He was also concerned by the fact that the San are landless and have no authority over land. Another concern was the high level of San children school dropout rate and the condition at the Drimiopsis school.
When given the opportunity to present the San representatives requested the Government to assist them with individual resettlement's, improved housing conditions, provision of transport to school children, improved draught relieve distribution services, schools, boreholes and accessible health care facilities.
This gathering was a great opportunity for the Omaheke San communities to have their voices heard.
