Patience Makwele
Zambezi-based development analyst, Lipuwo Kathrine Nyambe, says floating bridges are not a long-term solution to recurring floods in the region.
The Zambezi and Ohangwena regions continue to deal with the effects of recent floods.
Water levels at Katima Mulilo reached about 6.7 metres, leading to flooding in low-lying areas.
At the peak, some villages and schools were only accessible by boat.
“Floating bridges are a practical emergency response, but they are not a long-term solution. Flooding in this region is seasonal and predictable, which means there should be more investment in permanent, climate-resilient infrastructure such as raised roads and durable bridges. People cannot be setting up floating bridges and unsettling them; a one-time solution is needed.”
Nyambe said the current approach focuses on response rather than prevention.
“What we are seeing is a system that responds when disaster strikes but does not sufficiently reduce the risk beforehand. There needs to be a shift towards prevention, not just response,” she added.
She said the scale of flooding shows gaps in long-term planning and raised concerns about disaster preparedness and funding.
“The government is clearly making efforts, but the scale of the impact we are seeing suggests that more needs to be done, especially at the regional level where response capacity is often limited,” she said.
“The water is no longer rising like before, and in some places it is going down,” said Maria Simataa, a resident of Kabbe South. “But many of us have already lost our crops, so even if the water goes away, the damage is already done, and we have a long year ahead of us with very little food left.”
Farmers said crops were destroyed close to harvest.
Farmer Boniface Sitwala said he had planted in anticipation of a good harvest, but most of the crops have now been destroyed.
“This is what we depend on, so the impact will be felt for a long time,” he said.
Learners and teachers said schooling has been affected.
A learner at Muzii Combined School said conditions have improved compared to before, but some routes remain difficult to pass.
“We are trying to attend classes, but not everyone is able to come every day.”
A teacher said attendance remains inconsistent.
“Even though the situation is improving, some learners are still unable to come regularly because certain areas are not fully accessible. The learning process has already been affected.”
Although water levels have started to stabilise, many residents say the damage has already been done.
Residents said flooding happens almost every year and called for permanent solutions.
“These floods happen almost every year. We appreciate the help, but we need permanent solutions so that we are not affected like this each time,” they expressed.
President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, on Sunday during the celebration of Swapo’s 66th anniversary, said flood response efforts form part of the government’s commitment to deliver on its promises.
“We have achieved significant progress since independence, but there are still pressing challenges that require practical solutions,” she said.
She said government programmes are guided by commitments made to citizens.
“You have voted for us to deliver. We will not forsake you. We know where you are but give us space to implement what you have assigned us to do,” she said.
Nandi-Ndaitwah pointed to interventions such as floating bridges to maintain access to schools during floods.
“In Zambezi, you have seen learners walking on floating bridges to get to school. This is something we committed to last year so that when floods come, not all schools will be cut off,” she said.
“When floods come, we put up these bridges to ensure that learners can continue accessing education,” she said.
She said the government remains focused on addressing inequality, unemployment, service delivery and infrastructure development.
“We are building on a strong foundation,” she said.
