Abstract:
About seventy percent (70%) of Namibia's population comprises of people who live in
circumstances that provide limited protection against the Coronavirus disease (COVID 19). One of Windhoek's informal communities, Okahandja Park lacks access to potable
water, proper sanitation, and basic housing. It is also overcrowded. This study's goal was
to discover and characterise how Okahandja Park informal settlement residents experienced
the COVID-19 prevention guidelines. The study used the Theory of Reasoned Action
(TRA) method and was qualitative. The study’s sample comprised of twenty-seven
residents from Okahandja Park who were older than eighteen years. The data gathered was
collected with high ethical standards in line with the University of Namibia’s (UNAM)
ethical clearance standards. Data was collected using four focus group discussions, in-depth
face-to-face interviews as research techniques. The Theory of Tesch, which produces
themes and subthemes, was used to analyse the data. The investigation found that the
Okahandja Park informal settlement residents were required to wear face masks at all times.
The local stores and clinic were overcrowded due to the long lines that resulted from a
limited number of people being permitted to enter facilities at a given time. Due to COVID 19, many citizens lost their employment since their employers could no longer afford to
pay their monthly salaries. During COVID-19, participants struggled to live due to a lack
of food and had to resort to a few coping techniques. Most of the inhabitants lacked
sufficient cosmetics to maintain their hygiene practices at home. The study concluded that
the WHO preventive measures during the lock down had both an adverse and favourable
influence on the Okahandja Park informal settlement residents. The study recommends that
public health measures for a pandemic like COVID-19 should be put in place, such that the
Office of the President in Namibia and significant NGOs provide food distribution
packages to vulnerable populations. In order to improve the informal settlers' abilities and
knowledge to run their enterprises successfully, the Namibian Ministry of Industrialisation,
Trade, and SMEs Development should offer them training and workshops on SMEs
development
