Rédaction Africa Links 24 with Frederico Links
Published on 2024-03-08 12:09:34
Thomas Haimbala, a former fisherman at Namsov Fishing Enterprises, found himself in a difficult situation when he lost his job due to the Fishrot scandal. He had been working at Namsov since the late 2000s, primarily on the MFV Sunfish trawler and MFV Namibian Star, where he served as a holdman, deckhand, and factory hand. Unfortunately, when the company let him go in 2017, he found himself struggling financially.
Originally from the rural settlement of Engela in the Ohangwena region, Haimbala moved to Walvis Bay over 15 years ago to support his large family, which included his children, mother, siblings, aunt, and her children. He was the main provider for all of them, covering their basic needs such as food, clothing, and school fees. He also assisted other members of his extended family when needed.
During his time at Namsov, Haimbala enjoyed a decent income, with a basic salary of nearly N$7,000 per month and additional earnings through commissions based on the catch size. This allowed him to bring his children to the coast to live with him and attend school in Walvis Bay. However, losing his job forced him to send them back home and disrupted his plans to build a house and start a cattle herd.
After losing his job, Haimbala struggled to find new employment and eventually had to move to a makeshift dwelling in Twaloloka, without access to water or electricity. Despite his efforts to secure work, he had to return to Ohangwena in 2018 due to financial constraints.
In 2021, he joined a government scheme that provided former fishermen with a monthly stipend of N$4,000, which became his only source of income. He currently shares a rental house with other unemployed fishermen who are also part of the scheme. However, life has become extremely challenging for him, often going without food and facing uncertainty about the future.
Haimbala’s main concern now is being able to support his son’s education. With only N$500 per month to spare from his allowance, he struggles to help his son improve his Grade 11 grades and continue his education. Despite his efforts to find work and improve his situation, the lack of financial stability is a constant stressor in his life.
He has a message for Samherji, urging them to negotiate with the government to provide job opportunities or financial assistance to those affected by the Fishrot scandal. His story is just one of many that highlight the devastating impact of corruption in the fishing industry on the lives of individuals like Thomas Haimbala.
Read the original article on The Namibian
