The Angolans at Kasava have been almost fully integrated into rural Namibian society. Apart from their
cattle, which provide an income, they also run tuckshops where locals can buy cakes, soft drinks and
beer. Many have also given birth to children, and are very aware that the new additions are Namibians.
NOT READY TO RETURN
IRIN spoke to refugee Abel Kambinda, who said he was in his mid-30s. He had been in Kasavafor four
years with his wife and three children, the youngest of which was born in the settlement. He also has
seven head of cattle and a goat. "There are quite a few Namibian babies here," he said.
A number of children have been born to Angolan refugees in Namibia
He was adamant that he was not prepared to return to Angola. "It's okay here [in Kasava]. I want to
remain here in Namibia, I don't want to go back to Angola. When the war started, our families ran [to
an area near] Menongue [in the southeastern Kuando Kubango province] to escape the fighting." From
there they had made their way across the border.
"At this time I'm not thinking about going to Angola. If the war has stopped - we'll see later, not now,"
he added.
When told that the war was over and peace was a reality in Angola, Kambinda remained sceptical. He
argued that a resumption of hostilities in Angola was still possible. "I don't want to go back because
there could still be war there."
Another refugee, Natalia Daniel, said she wanted to go back to Angola some day, "but not now, maybe
later". She was concerned about her safety and that of her husband and eight children, should they
return to Angola - where land mines remain a major threat. "The war is still there," she said.
Despite the peace accord between the former rebel group, UNITA, and the government, signed in
April 2002, which brought the cessation of hostilities, Daniel remained unconvinced that peace had
finally come to Angola.
She also expressed satisfaction with life in Kasava,where she had given birth to her youngest child.
Apart from monthly rations from the World Food Programme, refugees in Kasava and Osire are also
given basic provisions such as soap, cooking oil and blankets.
10,000 TO BE REPATRIATED
Some 4,500 refugees were voluntarily repatriated to Angola by UNHCR last year in vehicle convoys
and by raft across the Kavango river. The programme was interrupted by the onset of rains, but will
resume in March.
UNHCRtold IRIN that it hoped to repatriate about 10,000 refugees from Namibia to Angola this year.
"If the issue of airlifting [refugees] is resolved by the tripartite commission [comprising representatives
from Angola, Namibia and UNHCR], which is meeting in March," said Xamseb.
Airlifting would increase the number of refugees that could be returned.
"What we are looking at doing is intensifying our mass information campaign - the uncertainty [in
Kasava] might be because they really do not know what to expect on the other side. We are looking