The increasing demand for water is straining the two boreholes in the Neu Samarou Settlement, located in the Kombat area of the Otjozondjupa Region, as the population has surged to approximately 2,000 residents.

Residents queue for water every day, as the two boreholes no longer meet the demand.

Project Coordinator Johannes Hango said many people moved to Neu Samarou in search of work at Kombat Mine and nearby farms, putting pressure on the solar-powered borehole.

Residents contribute money for diesel to run the second borehole, while the Ministry of Agriculture provides limited support.

“We currently have approximately 2,000 people living here. Those people cannot be catered to by the solar power. Diesel is a problem because what we do now is the community comes together and contributes five dollars to buy five litres of diesel to pump. Even though the ministry is providing diesel, it will never be enough because once we start pumping, you will just see containers lining up there.”

He added that a proposed pipeline from Kombat Mine could provide a long-term solution and help revive household gardens affected by water shortages.

Hango urged residents to use water responsibly.

“Let’s divert from saying it’s government things there. We need to come as stakeholders and make people understand that even if it’s government resources, we shouldn’t abuse them in that sense.”

Hango explained that most of the residents are people who previously worked on farms, whose services are no longer needed by farm owners.

“We are having a development committee that we are working together with, but as I said once, you just step out, sitting in the office like now, somebody is busy constructing a ghetto there. Now Namibia is free; you can’t ask a person why you are coming here or where you are coming from; it’s also not safe for you."

Although no formal communication has been made yet, Hango said New Horizon Copper Mine in Kombat is willing to ease the burden of Neu Samarou residents.