KARIBIB – Although surrounded by a major gold mine and several other smaller deposits, Karibib, a small, sleepy town where, on average, the income of most households is just below the poverty line, has been rocked with high skyrocketing levels of unemployment, as well as alcohol and drug alcohol abuse among the residents.

While most parts of the country received good rains, causing flooding, the town remains dry and hot.
Most young people can be seen roaming around the dusty gravel roads in the informal settlement, Usab, where the majority of the poor and vulnerable live in shacks.

In an attempt to remain relevant and beat boredom, many have resorted to assembling under the trees to quench their thirst with a common traditional brew, Tombo.

To make means end, many fetch water for other residents who pay them a mere N$3 per 20-25kg water container.
One such unemployed resident, Johannes Afrikaner (53), who lives with disability, says he is in need of shelter.
“I moved to Karibib in 2007 from Windhoek as life became hard. I have been looking for a place to stay. I also can’t find a job because I am disabled. I had an operation in 2018 and another one is due this month, as my legs had a problem,” Afrikaner said as he sat under a tree with a glass of water.

Although he receives the N$1 300 monthly social grant from the government, he says life is still hard to survive. He said he pays N$400 per month for rent, excluding water and electricity.

“I just want a place to call home. I always come under this tree to relax and mingle with others while killing time before I go to sleep. I need a piece of land to even start a garden because my hands are capable of working,” he pleaded.
Another unemployed youth, who refused to be mentioned, complained about the lack of job opportunities in Karibib despite the mining activities and the military base. He says municipal leadership is practising a selective morality when it comes to the distribution of free drought relief food to residents.

“People used to get Harambee food but I didn’t get it. I am also in need of food.”
A single mother, Thusnelde Nowases, who is taking care of 17 children, including grandchildren, said life is tough for her to raise her family without a job.

She noted only two of these children receive the N$200 monthly social grants and they rely heavily on that N$500 per month.
 “All these kids sleep in a shack with the grandmother. I want a good Samaritan to assist with zinc to accommodate them,” she implored. Unemployed 27-year-old mother of three Joeghobeth Angula was born and raised in Karibib.
According to her, she did not matriculate because she fell pregnant while in Grade 8. She then dropped out and later found a job at a filling station as a chef.

“There were problems at work so I quit in 2018. I stayed without a job from 2018 up until now. I was selling Kapana and I had to stop because I have a small baby. I want to start now but I don’t have capital. We need job opportunities here. It’s dead here,” Angula demanded. 
– anakale@nepc.com.na