Windhoek Slum Lives in Fear of Snakes and Robbers

People who live in the Brenden Simbwaye settlement need better living conditions. They lack toilets and must use open areas where snakes bite them and thieves attack them. Women often scream for help when robbers target them near the trash dump where they relieve themselves. Streets remain dark at night because power lines do not reach this area. The single working water tap serves everyone because the second tap broke years ago.

Community leader Abner Kotokeni asks for basic facilities like northern-style pit toilets. He reported problems to both the city office and local councilor Nestor Kalola without success. The city promised light towers near the school last May, but residents see little progress. Officials say they plan to create 12,000 housing plots in the area soon. Councilor Kalola claims he cannot fix these problems himself.

Kalola says the city must handle water and toilets instead of him. He believes his job covers only clinics, hospitals, and drought relief. The councilor tells community leaders to speak directly with city workers about their needs. He thinks residents need more information about how government services work. Many meetings have taken place, but people still expect him to solve their daily problems.