This migh sound like a crazy or pipe dream. But it is the My Family's conviction- to one day see the village of Upukos slowly turning into a town - or at least have all the necessary services found in a town set.
Upukos is a small village about 27 km way from Otjimbinge, the historic settlement - with key places such as the initial Paulinum where Namibian theologians could be trained. Upukos is about 56 km from Karibib, its nearest town, about 45 km from Karibib to a turn off road to Upukus - and about 11 km to the heart of the village. I am yet to exactly establish the estimated number of the residents there. But, I can confirm that are are a number of households in the area with many of the young ones at towns, either attending school or working or just enjoying city life as it is a norm in many set-up.
Upukos is surrounded by other villages such as /Na/nas, Erekero, Omukandakanda, Okarundu and others.
The villlage is a jewel, well-tucked in what I see as an appropriate area with a difference. It has a river passing right through it, straight to the mouth of the Swakop river at the coast. There are some interesting hills and mountains, some which appeared to have been tested for marble. It has great fauna and flora and boast some indigeneous plants in some plants like the devils claw which is said to have some medicinal qualities. I have seen fertile soil although the residents there are yet to significantly engage in agriculture in terms of planting maize, vegetables or fruit trees. But the residents are rich in cattling and small livestock rearing. Rain seem not to be falling regularly there, but when it comes, it is adequate for the families to move on.
Upukos to me is just rich village, and I fell in love with it the first time I set my foot on it, in 1986 although my visit then was very short and a day trip. During my regular visit there as I became part of the residents there, I realized that place could be a great tourism spot and the place was pregnant with so much to offer to local people and visitors alike...
I visited some mountains in the area, and learnt that some one place was so quiet and unspoiled - and a person could hear a loud echo in the rest of the area when you shout or call someone. That particular place has great ancient trees - some just looking as if they have been decorated in a particular fashion. Somewhere in the field - the area looks so great and has some edible wild spinach which is so popular in some parts of Namibia especially the far north. Ombidi/Omboga or wild spinach also growing in abundance in some part of Upukos seem not to heartily attract residents there - but was popular among some especially some cattle herders some who originally hail from the northern and northwestern part of the country. There is an auction pen in the area - where people from Upukos and nearby surroundings sell or buy livestock from among themselves and meatco. Again, this is one great business potential.
The river for me is enough live for the people of Upukos, some people have boreholes or water wells near or in the river - which is the main source of water fo rboth live stock - human being and plants. People are of so much of diversity - a mixture of mainly Otjiherero speaking and Damara/Nama - expanded by some integratoin of other Namibian groups most of whom now speak Otjiherero as that is the main language in the area.
There a number of young people who are working else where - which is a good sign that indeed there is growing and development power for Upukos.... this is the point I want to drive home...
My husband and I have always been sharing ideas on how commercial farmers develop their plots - how did those plots turn into what is today called commercial farms? Where the infrastructure or assets on such farms found on such plots? No, that is the answer that we strongly arrived at and we took a decision years back that one day - we have to turn our own small plot into a commercial farm - that means, putting up a brick structure we can call our home - with bedrooms, bathrooms, kichen and living rooms just as any other house in the city... plant trees even if they are just few and do all that is needed to bring us up to the level of development we need for ourselves as a family. We told ourselves that we must have running water taps at the house, and bathrooms with flush toilets on our communal land.
This is also the same for the entire village - we (hubby and I) decided that we have to inspire the entire village to improve our standards of living as residents of Upukos - through our work and actions even if this might take too long - but we were convinced that we shall overcome.
We then identified the necessary community and public services that the area need - the first one is the proper road - although not gravel, we thought we needed to have a road that will enable all inhabitants to come to the area even with small cars.The time we were planning this we did not have resources to do so - the means to get a bulldozer - a caterpillar (Scrapper) and manpower to do the job. But, my husband was determined he would do it - with his limited knowledge he had in designing and managing roads.
Today, this drea, has been full filled, complementing the dream of our brickhouse with the necessary facilities although this is still an ongoing project.
Other immediate services that we discussed that usually form part of development included a clinic - as many of the old people have to travel by donkey cards to Otjimbingwe for their medical treatment and although nursing staff would make some turns when necessary, it was not easy to live that way. We also identified the need to have a community hall for the residents to have meetings and for the old people to receive their pension money while under a shade and in an orderly place. At the moment, pensioners receive their money under a tree. The community hall can also be used for other purposes such as worshipping irrespective of the people's faith etc or for primary school - or kindergarten as there is no such service yet in Upukos. The next urgent service is that of the law enforcement as cases of theft, mainly livestock cases are recorded - and we thought the villagers there need security and peace of mind.
We are ceased with this idea - and although there are many challenges too - it is our dream to realize what we have decided to do -inspiring the Upukos family to work hard to change the face of the village and turn it into a town one day.
Yes, there are other services such as electricity, portable water and many more even job opportunities that are desperately needed - however, we as Namibians and Upukus inhabitants cannot always turn a blind eye to what we can do ourselves to contribute to the improvement of our comfort. People there are reach - if each family sacrifices a calf a year or so, they could buy their own public transport in a target period or acquire any service they need.
If the people of Upukus agree to plough and plant fields during the relevant seasons - they can have enough food to eat and store some for drought periods.. almost each family has manure in their kraals, and what is it used for? Almost noghting. It could be used to nurture and tender the gardens - it could be packed in bags and sold elswhere to those who need it. Upukos could have a vendors areas - selling fresh produce from their garden - and in the long run set up their own market.
Upukos could set up a small lodge or tourism place to lure tourists, both local and visitors - as long as they can have the necessary facilities such as a tuckshop, bathrooms/rest rooms - clean water etc - they could visit daily - as a start ... there is so much we can do - tourguides could be developed from the community members as they know the area - and they speak Afrikaans and English too especially the young ones who visit various towns now and then.
You will see that I did not mention any councillors or government's immediate assistance, but I am talking about us as residents of Upukos, we do have the ability to start our own foundation - and I am sure our government and relevant authorities can join us - find us on the way - and our thought is hinged on the premis that ask not what you country an do for you - but what you can do for your country..
We all have the abilities to change our own environments and this does not have something to do with money or resources, it is our vision, our conviction and determination - the drive to go that extra mile - the despire to inpire and the will to further development in our country.
Again, the reason why I am sharing this tale of the my family with you is not to boast or anything, but to encourage you to do the same in your area - you and me can make a difference in our communities, are area4s, our environments and in our country.
Therefore, our dream to see Upukos slowly becoming a town remains, how crazy it mind sound - we are convinced we can make that difference once day - Upukos might not be declared a town right away, but will at least have the necessary services that a town can have. Join us in making a difference in our lives and those of other people.
The moral of the story is, each one of us has the ability to change our situation, our environment and village as wll as country... yes we need the support of other residents in our villages but you can take the lead and the entire viallage will follow.
Upukos is a small village about 27 km way from Otjimbinge, the historic settlement - with key places such as the initial Paulinum where Namibian theologians could be trained. Upukos is about 56 km from Karibib, its nearest town, about 45 km from Karibib to a turn off road to Upukus - and about 11 km to the heart of the village. I am yet to exactly establish the estimated number of the residents there. But, I can confirm that are are a number of households in the area with many of the young ones at towns, either attending school or working or just enjoying city life as it is a norm in many set-up.
Upukos is surrounded by other villages such as /Na/nas, Erekero, Omukandakanda, Okarundu and others.
The villlage is a jewel, well-tucked in what I see as an appropriate area with a difference. It has a river passing right through it, straight to the mouth of the Swakop river at the coast. There are some interesting hills and mountains, some which appeared to have been tested for marble. It has great fauna and flora and boast some indigeneous plants in some plants like the devils claw which is said to have some medicinal qualities. I have seen fertile soil although the residents there are yet to significantly engage in agriculture in terms of planting maize, vegetables or fruit trees. But the residents are rich in cattling and small livestock rearing. Rain seem not to be falling regularly there, but when it comes, it is adequate for the families to move on.
Upukos to me is just rich village, and I fell in love with it the first time I set my foot on it, in 1986 although my visit then was very short and a day trip. During my regular visit there as I became part of the residents there, I realized that place could be a great tourism spot and the place was pregnant with so much to offer to local people and visitors alike...
I visited some mountains in the area, and learnt that some one place was so quiet and unspoiled - and a person could hear a loud echo in the rest of the area when you shout or call someone. That particular place has great ancient trees - some just looking as if they have been decorated in a particular fashion. Somewhere in the field - the area looks so great and has some edible wild spinach which is so popular in some parts of Namibia especially the far north. Ombidi/Omboga or wild spinach also growing in abundance in some part of Upukos seem not to heartily attract residents there - but was popular among some especially some cattle herders some who originally hail from the northern and northwestern part of the country. There is an auction pen in the area - where people from Upukos and nearby surroundings sell or buy livestock from among themselves and meatco. Again, this is one great business potential.
The river for me is enough live for the people of Upukos, some people have boreholes or water wells near or in the river - which is the main source of water fo rboth live stock - human being and plants. People are of so much of diversity - a mixture of mainly Otjiherero speaking and Damara/Nama - expanded by some integratoin of other Namibian groups most of whom now speak Otjiherero as that is the main language in the area.
There a number of young people who are working else where - which is a good sign that indeed there is growing and development power for Upukos.... this is the point I want to drive home...
My husband and I have always been sharing ideas on how commercial farmers develop their plots - how did those plots turn into what is today called commercial farms? Where the infrastructure or assets on such farms found on such plots? No, that is the answer that we strongly arrived at and we took a decision years back that one day - we have to turn our own small plot into a commercial farm - that means, putting up a brick structure we can call our home - with bedrooms, bathrooms, kichen and living rooms just as any other house in the city... plant trees even if they are just few and do all that is needed to bring us up to the level of development we need for ourselves as a family. We told ourselves that we must have running water taps at the house, and bathrooms with flush toilets on our communal land.
This is also the same for the entire village - we (hubby and I) decided that we have to inspire the entire village to improve our standards of living as residents of Upukos - through our work and actions even if this might take too long - but we were convinced that we shall overcome.
We then identified the necessary community and public services that the area need - the first one is the proper road - although not gravel, we thought we needed to have a road that will enable all inhabitants to come to the area even with small cars.The time we were planning this we did not have resources to do so - the means to get a bulldozer - a caterpillar (Scrapper) and manpower to do the job. But, my husband was determined he would do it - with his limited knowledge he had in designing and managing roads.
Today, this drea, has been full filled, complementing the dream of our brickhouse with the necessary facilities although this is still an ongoing project.
Other immediate services that we discussed that usually form part of development included a clinic - as many of the old people have to travel by donkey cards to Otjimbingwe for their medical treatment and although nursing staff would make some turns when necessary, it was not easy to live that way. We also identified the need to have a community hall for the residents to have meetings and for the old people to receive their pension money while under a shade and in an orderly place. At the moment, pensioners receive their money under a tree. The community hall can also be used for other purposes such as worshipping irrespective of the people's faith etc or for primary school - or kindergarten as there is no such service yet in Upukos. The next urgent service is that of the law enforcement as cases of theft, mainly livestock cases are recorded - and we thought the villagers there need security and peace of mind.
We are ceased with this idea - and although there are many challenges too - it is our dream to realize what we have decided to do -inspiring the Upukos family to work hard to change the face of the village and turn it into a town one day.
Yes, there are other services such as electricity, portable water and many more even job opportunities that are desperately needed - however, we as Namibians and Upukus inhabitants cannot always turn a blind eye to what we can do ourselves to contribute to the improvement of our comfort. People there are reach - if each family sacrifices a calf a year or so, they could buy their own public transport in a target period or acquire any service they need.
If the people of Upukus agree to plough and plant fields during the relevant seasons - they can have enough food to eat and store some for drought periods.. almost each family has manure in their kraals, and what is it used for? Almost noghting. It could be used to nurture and tender the gardens - it could be packed in bags and sold elswhere to those who need it. Upukos could have a vendors areas - selling fresh produce from their garden - and in the long run set up their own market.
Upukos could set up a small lodge or tourism place to lure tourists, both local and visitors - as long as they can have the necessary facilities such as a tuckshop, bathrooms/rest rooms - clean water etc - they could visit daily - as a start ... there is so much we can do - tourguides could be developed from the community members as they know the area - and they speak Afrikaans and English too especially the young ones who visit various towns now and then.
You will see that I did not mention any councillors or government's immediate assistance, but I am talking about us as residents of Upukos, we do have the ability to start our own foundation - and I am sure our government and relevant authorities can join us - find us on the way - and our thought is hinged on the premis that ask not what you country an do for you - but what you can do for your country..
We all have the abilities to change our own environments and this does not have something to do with money or resources, it is our vision, our conviction and determination - the drive to go that extra mile - the despire to inpire and the will to further development in our country.
Again, the reason why I am sharing this tale of the my family with you is not to boast or anything, but to encourage you to do the same in your area - you and me can make a difference in our communities, are area4s, our environments and in our country.
Therefore, our dream to see Upukos slowly becoming a town remains, how crazy it mind sound - we are convinced we can make that difference once day - Upukos might not be declared a town right away, but will at least have the necessary services that a town can have. Join us in making a difference in our lives and those of other people.
The moral of the story is, each one of us has the ability to change our situation, our environment and village as wll as country... yes we need the support of other residents in our villages but you can take the lead and the entire viallage will follow.
Hopefully most of this dream has been realized by now. Has the development started to benefit neighboring villages already?
ReplyDelete