21 Jul 2019

Relocation exercise to the newly established Xorotsha settlement in the Ngamiland district is expected to start end of this year.

Senior assistant council secretary, Ms Mogomotsi Seemule explained in an interview that people were therefore free to apply for residential plots at the new settlement, which is situated in the western side of Kareng village and about 30km away from Qabo settlement in the Ghanzi district.

The settlement was established following a Presidential decision to accommodate about 300 people so that they would access basic services under Remote Area Development Programme (RADP).

Ms Seemule confirmed that they had engaged the land board officials in the relocation exercise as well as plot applications, adding an advertisement would be made for interested people to apply.

She indicated that the settlement would be serviced by Sehithwa Land Board.

Again, she said progress had been made at the settlement where currently 18 houses fenced with toilets had been completed and connected with water.

She added that every year, government allocated houses to remote area settlements and five more houses would be constructed at Xorotsha this financial year.

“We are awaiting the release of the funds to kick-start the project as tenders have already been awarded. We are also in the process to mobilise communities so that they could allocate the houses,” she said.

Nevertheless, Ms Seemule acknowledged having experienced delays to establish the settlement.

However, she said they were committed to designating it and ensuring that the relocation exercise would start by the end of the year as planned.

Currently, she said the council had embarked on assessment exercise  to cater for those who would be relocating as well as their belongings.

Also, she said relocation of kraals was ongoing, after which other developments such as school, health facility projects would be undertaken.

“Such were not included in the development plan but would come at a later stage depending on availability of funds,” she said.

On other issues, she indicated that there would challenges for school going children once relocation took place, given that the nearest school would be at Qabo, about 30km away from the new settlement.

Meanwhile, she urged affected residents to be patient while they finalised some of the logistics pertaining to the establishment of the settlement.

Residents were also informed that government was committed to assisting people in remote areas to improve their living conditions by availing opportunities and resources.

“The council would do all in its power to ensure they access services,” she said. ENDS