Khorixas play park falls apart

REFUSE heaps, overgrown weeds and thorn trees welcome visitors to the only public children’s playground at Khorixas.

Near the broken swings and other apparatus children play on is an uncovered sewage hole.

Toilets pots and cubicle doors have been removed from the park’s ablution facilities, and the smell of faeces and urine is unbearable.

The park is under the care of the Uitani branch of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in the Republic of Namibia (ELCRN) at Khorixas.

The gates of the premises are not locked, welcoming vagrants and passers-by.

When The Namibian last week visited the playground two boys were at the park collecting grass and weeds “for our horses”.

“We like to play here, but the condition is not good. What must we do?” one of them said.

A resident who wanted to be identified as ‘Maria’ only and has three children, said: “It is supposed to be a welcoming space for children. It looks like a scene from a horror movie.”

Another resident said young people engage in sexual activity late at night.

Most of the equipment at the playground is broken or has been removed.

Khorixas mayor Lina #Gaeses last week said the playground was handed over to the ELCRN Uitani branch a few years ago.

She called on community members to look after the property, but promised to delegate officials from the Khorixas Town Council to assess the playground and see how best the council can assist.

“The playground needs to be perfect, and a welcoming space for our children,” she said.

Pastor Heinrico Swartbooi from the ELCRN Uitani branch said the church has requested permission from the town council to renovate the playground, but is awaiting a response.

He begged the community to look after the playground, instead of vandalising it.

“It’s not for the church only. It is for the whole community, so let’s take care of it,” he said.

Swartbooi said nursery schools and kindergartens could make use of the playground as they do not always have access to such facilities.

Community members are requested to bring old metal items to the playground, which can be painted and used.

The playground previously had security guards, which the church is planning on reinstating once the park has been renovated, Swartbooi said.

Community members and businesses are called upon to assist with renovations.