Poverty Knows No Colour
DEWALD Kriel (51) could be living proof that poverty in independent Namibia has crossed the colour barrier.
For more than four months now, Kriel, who says he was born at Lüderitz, has been living in an old Volkswagen minibus in the northern industrial area near NamPower.He was waiting for us outside when we arrived. The first thing he asked for was a cigarette. He then took us on a tour of his 'home', just like a proud homeowner would do.
Kriel boasted that he was extending his 'house' by using discarded old car bonnets and cardboard boxes. A number of shopping trolleys were tied together to form a perimeter fence. The yard was clean because Kriel said he raked it often.
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| Poverty Knows No Colour |
An old Mercedes Benz , which Kriel claims he inherited from his father, was parked at the back. He said the car was brought to Windhoek on a lorry last year.
A poster announcing the visit of American televangelist TD Jakes, in which he stands with First Lady Monica Geingos, is stuck on the inside of the windscreen of the minibus shell.
There are old magazines, newspapers, a Bible, several newspaper cuttings of posters of musicians and pictures scattered in the shell.
A certificate on handling dangerous goods was also stuck on the walls of the Volkswagen.
There was a collection of vinyl record discs and books in a corner.
In his kitchen were old tin mugs, an almost empty packet of sugar and a dried-out bar of Sunlight soap while his jackets and shirts were neatly placed on hangers.
His bed - just a foam rubber - was at the back of the Volkswagen. In one corner were a few utensils, although he cooks on an open fire outside.
There was a candle next to where he sleeps. A smoking pipe and a tin of paraffin also sat close by.
A Swapo Party card was attached to a small alarm clock close to where he sleeps.
"I vote. Proudly so for Swapo. We vote for change," he stated.
Looking satisfied with himself, Kriel said the opening on the roof of the minibus unfortunately gave him problems when it rained. He has tried to cover it with blankets, boxes and plastic bags several times, but this did not help.
Although Kriel said he is a former truck driver, he refused to be drawn into talking about his family, apart from that they were in South Africa.
He talked about two failed marriages.
Chatting animatedly, Kriel said he has always been an avid reader and had great interest in music.
Being a truck driver for part of his youth had been a benefit to Kriel, who said he had been to many towns and got exposed to a lot, which had in turn helped him pick up a few skills that could land him a job anywhere.
"I am a jack of all trades and a master of all," he said, smiling brightly while showing the news crew pictures of his youthful self, which were pasted on the wall of the VW.
Kriel still survives on scraping for crumbs on pavements and on support he gets from Good Samaritans. He said every morning, he went out to see what food he could get, or if he could get any money. "I really just need food. I do not eat well, and this has gotten me sick. I am even booked off now."
Those who work in the area described Kriel as a jolly individual who never bothered anyone, nor did he become violent in any way.
"When he first came here, people were very curious. They would stop by and buy him food or give him money," said a customer of City Sand and Brick.
Two workers at the company said Kriel would often come and ask for water or food, which they do not mind helping him with.
"Hy is 'n top ou [He is a cool guy,]. He actually makes our day with all the jokes he tells when he comes around and he also has respect, which is what matters.
"I would be scared if it was me staying there alone all night," one noted.
Other workers at Triton Express also said they are very fond of him and allow him to come and take an occasional shower at their office.
"He is so funny. We have no problems with him at all. Sometimes he comes with N$5 and asks for water, or N$2 and asks for cigarettes," said one of the workers.
Another worker said Kriel also got a lot of help from a church, which occasionally brought him food or took him away for a few days.
He would then come back cleaned up and neatly dressed.
"He does not seem to want to leave that place. I think he enjoys living there," said the worker.
A vendor who sells kapana in the area said Kriel was a great person, but that occasionally he got moody and did weird things like closing off the area, which scared away costumers.
"Sometimes he would bath naked in the street, or even walk around naked. I do not think he is okay mentally," said a customer who was buying kapana.
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