The Erongo Governor, Nathalia |Goagoses, has vowed to address the water shortages and lack of basic services faced by small-scale miners at Xobo-Xobos in the Dâures Constituency of the region.
Xobo-Xobos is an informal small miners' camp nestled among the Erongo Mountains, an area rich in semi-precious stones.
About 250 people live in the area, which is approximately 70 kilometres from Uis.
Residents live in corrugated iron shacks with no access to basic services. A businessman who travels from Uis sells five litres of water for N$25 to the community, as there is no water source at Xobo-Xobos.
"We have people who need chronic medication. We need a mobile clinic to come here once a week or twice a month. Some of us cannot afford to buy water from places like Uis. We don't have families here, and the water costs about 25 dollars. Some people have children, and when they don't have money, they are not allowed to take water on credit. Those who came here to earn a living are still suffering because of this. They came here to avoid becoming thieves, but because of the hardship, they are being forced back into crime," said resident Mutilifa Lazarus.
During her outreach visit to the Dâures Constituency, the Erongo Governor met with the small-scale miners and expressed sympathy for their living conditions.
"From this engagement, I will instruct the Regional Council to ensure that water is provided to the nearly 300 Namibians making ends meet in these mountains of the Dâures Constituency. I also see babies here. As I return to Uis, I will visit the health centre there to ensure that they reach out more frequently with their mobile clinic to provide health services to this community."
The Governor added that she would facilitate leadership training for the representatives at Xobo-Xobos so they can effectively manage the community.
The Chief Regional Officer, Sam Ntelamo, confirmed to NBC News that a water truck was dispatched to deliver water to the camp following the governor's visit.
Dr. Ntelamo, however, said the Council is exploring a long-term solution, which will require research to determine how many other similar small miners' camps in the Erongo Region also need water.
He said the Council would then assess various factors, including how long the miners intend to stay and the economic value of the minerals in those areas.
The CRO further indicated that Xobo-Xobos was not originally intended to be a permanent settlement, but as the number of small-scale miners increased, the water demand became more urgent.