By: Hileni Inane
A new housing model aimed at helping low-income earners transition from Kambashus (Shacks) to a more sustainable and durable solution has been launched.
The housing model was launched by Yambuka Housing on Wednesday in Windhoek.
According to Twapewa Kadhikwa, Yambuka Housing’s managing director, the project aims to address the shortage of adequate housing and the high unemployment rate in the country by providing affordable housing as well as creating jobs through the construction of Yambuka houses.
The initiative also aims to train individuals to become Yambuka certified installers.
“This is a Yambuka infrastructure; the technology is in the country, the material is made locally, we have the skills in the country, it is not material we have to import or wait for,” Kadhikwa said.
She also noted that their house models have an advantage of being portable.
Kadhikwa further emphasied on President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah’s vision of building 50,000 new houses for her presidential term.
According to her, Yambuka can easily meet this demand because setting up a house takes a week.
“Yambuka can have multiple teams setting up a thousand houses around the country, targeting 1,000 houses per month, solving the housing crisis. We have an obligation to meet the government halfway; we just need the orders so we can build the houses. Imagine the volume of employment we can create because we won’t be able to do it all by ourselves,” she remarked.
According to Kadhikwa, these houses are targeting low-income individuals, who may not qualify for housing financing from banks.
She added that financial institutions do not consider the hardships of the clients banking with them.
Speaking at the launch, sales manager James Auala explained that the houses are made from aluminium side panels with styrofoam in between them.
Auala said the houses can be designed according to the client’s specifications, with the turnaround time being shorter than traditional housing construction.
“Within seven days, you can be at your new home. From foundation to moving in your furniture, and settling in,” he added.
