Erasmus Shalihaxwe
A family of eight in Windhoek’s Havana informal settlement is appealing for assitance after losing everything in a shack fire in the early hours of Monday morning.
Stercianna Yoleni, speaking on behalf of her family, said the blaze destroyed three shacks built close to each other. While neighbouring families were also affected, her family lost almost all their belongings. Among the items destroyed were a fridge, a television, a laptop, two beds, school uniforms, and other valuables.
Yoleni said the shack belonged to her aunt, who shared it with her children and extended family.
Among the eight people left homeless are two students from the International University of Management (IUM), one student from the Namibian College of Open Learning (Namcol), one learner from Khomas High School, and three primary school pupils.
“Right now we need anybody who can help us with anything to rebuild our house. We lost everything in the fire and we don’t know how we are going to recover what we have lost. We need school uniforms for the three kids in primary school and anything else,” Yoleni said.
She said the family is grateful that no lives were lost, but the experience has left them shaken.
“It was very painful to see everything reduced to ashes while we stood there helpless. We could not stop it or rescue any of our belongings,” she said.
Some community members have thus far stepped in to provide some relief. The family received three mattresses from neighbours, but Yoleni stressed that more support is needed.
“So far we have received three mattresses from community members, but we still need more. We have approached the constituency councillor’s office and we are still waiting for feedback, but we will appreciate anything we can get,” she said.
The incident comes amid a rise in shack fires across Windhoek’s informal settlements this year.
According to the Windhoek municipality, 42 incidents were recorded between January and June, claiming four lives.
The Tobias Hainyeko, Moses Garoeb, and Samora Machel constituencies were the hardest hit.
January recorded the highest number with 14 fires, followed by 10 more in February and March combined.
Between April and June, another 18 fires occurred, leading to four confirmed deaths.
Despite the devastation, Yoleni expressed gratitude to those who have stepped in.
“We are trying to stay strong, but it is not easy. We just hope more people can come forward to help us rebuild and recover from this,” she said.
