By Kudumo Bernhold
Rundu, Aug. 29 — About 32 kilometres east of Rundu town lies the village of Gove where the head woman Mbeu Bethilde Kaheke Napenda says the community needs help from the government and well-wishers to get potable water and sanitation facilities.
Napenda has been the head woman of the village for the past 23 years after she succeeded her father Napenda Bartholomeus in 1999.
During this period, she has presided over the affairs of the village with modesty and honesty but she says things have become difficult in the past few years because of changing laws in the country, making it difficult to maintain the community.
“Life in this village was orderly and beautiful in the beginning as there was little violence. We maintained order and punished those who did wrong to the community,” said the head woman.
“But after the laws changed, things became more difficult in the village, more crime erupted, the unemployment rate went up and the youths resorted to drugs and alcohol abuse,” said Napenda.
One of the village elders Litiha Patricia said she cannot even go to buy things like sugar at night because the unruly youths might rob her. She further said that if the youths were given something to focus on, then the crime rate would drop.
“These young men have skills and talents that that are going to waste and if someone were to invest in them then all will be well,” said Patricia.
Napenda said her community needs a more reliable source of potable water as the tanks they have do not store enough water for the community. – email: ariesbernhold21@gmail.com
“We need the government or anyone who is willing to help us to assist the community,” said the headwoman.
She also appealed to the government and other well-wishers, especially non-governmental organisations to come and assist them to build toilets as it is dangerous for people, especially the elderly to continue using the bush when nature calls.
“I urge the people of this country and beyond to help this community with all your might and love,” she said.
