By: Annakleta Haikera
Rundu Urban Constituency Councilor Vicky Kauma has called on corporate companies to support vulnerable communities, especially those affected by disasters, such as fire outbreaks that have become increasingly common in informal settlements.
Kauma made the remarks on Tuesday during a handover ceremony of blankets to 42 fire victims in Rundu, Kavango East.
The donation, valued at N$8,000, was made by the Rundu branch of Bank Windhoek.
“As a Constituency Councilor heading an office with no resources, it becomes a burden to respond to these tragic events. I feel relieved that a corporate company has extended a helping hand to assist our people,” Kauma said.
She explained that many of the fire victims had lost their homes and possessions in separate incidents—some dating back to last year, and others as recent as last week.
Among the beneficiaries were two victims whose homes were recently destroyed.
“In June, a woman named Petronela Kangoro, 48, and her family of eight were left homeless after a fire gutted their shack in Ndama location,” Kauma shared.
“In another tragic incident, Joseph Anton, also 48, from Tumweneni Informal Settlement, lost his home in a fire allegedly started by his girlfriend. That story made headlines,” she said.
“These two victims are here today,” she added.
“A house burned by fire is like a person who was raised from the dead. The pain is real, and in those moments, people often lose hope,” she explained.
Kauma painted a vivid picture of the emotional toll fire disasters take on victims.
“When a house burns down completely, it destroys everything. People cry, they fall into despair, and some even lose their mental stability. You see once vibrant people reduced to walking around searching for food, clothing, or just a blanket,” she stated.
She urged corporate Namibia to do more to assist such people, especially when public offices are under-resourced.
“When we don’t have resources to cater for the needy, donors become the only hope. Their support can restore dignity and give people a reason to carry on.”
Among the recipients, Joseph Anton, told The Villager that he had been sleeping outside since his home burned down.
“The only warmth I had was from the fire itself, this blanket gives me and my family hope.”
He added that he had lost all his belongings and has no idea how to start rebuilding his life.
The donation from Bank Windhoek has been a beacon of hope for many of the victims, and Councilor Kauma says she hopes more companies will be inspired to follow suit and invest in restoring dignity to the most vulnerable.
