Vice President Lucia Witbooi says government is intensifying efforts to uplift marginalised communities, as she engages residents in the Epupa Constituency.

Witbooi made the remarks during a familiarisation visit to the Kunene Region, where she reaffirmed that the needs of marginalised and vulnerable communities remain central to government's planning and resource allocation. 

"As you are all aware, her excellency, Dr. Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, the President of the Republic of Namibia, appointed me last year on the 22nd of March and gave me the mandate to lead three divisions, which are the following: the marginalised, the disabled and the genocide. She did that appointment with the mandate deliberately and directly put these divisions under the office of the Vice President with the aim of ensuring and focusing on the government's planning budgeting and targeted social welfare for the department across the country, so you have to understand that this division is under the highest office of this government."

The visit to Kunene is aimed at understanding and witnessing challenges faced by communities, especially those affected by drought and limited access to basic services. 

The vice president engaged directly with the community, giving them an opportunity to raise their concerns and share their daily struggles. 

The engagement was prompted by reports given to her office on the humanitarian situation among several villages in the Epupa Constituency.

Witbooi also handed over donated items to the community members as part of the efforts to provide immediate relief and inspected houses that have been constructed for marginalised community members in Otjomuru, Epupa Constituency. 

"Let us face our challenges with a positive mind and not spoil our minds with the idea that I am marginalised. You thought that you were marginalised, but I want to encourage you. Get up, stand up, put on the best clothes you have and walk in the villages in Opuwo when you get a chance to go to Opuwo and walk tall, so let the marginalised not keep you behind."

Witbooi emphasised that no community should be left behind in Namibia's development agenda, stressing that this engagement marks a step towards practical solutions formarginalisede communities in the region. 

The Vice President reassured the government's effort to deliver services to all Namibians and called upon local and regional leadership, traditional authorities and residents to work in unity and ensure that the concerns raised translate into tangible interventions.