Waiakabra

Irene Dundas

Overlooking the Linden/Soesdyke Highway is an Amerindian settlement called Waiakabra. On the surface this community which comprises at least 30 households looks like a dream spot to live. However, some two decades after it was established, there is still no running water in homes and no electricity supply. The most serious problem affecting residents, however, is that they have now been asked to move since they are “squatting on government reserve.”
The bright sunshine, pearl white sand and cool water from a nearby creek brings on an instant feeling of laziness. Waiakabra is located less the 200 metres from Kuru Kururu, which is one of the more established communities along the highway.

Sounds of ‘Zoom, zoom, peepeepppp!’ break the morning silence as vehicles speed past en route to the city or Linden, and the noise penetrates some of the houses which run parallel to the highway.

The community is divided into two by a thick wall of tall trees and bushes. It stretches for quite some distance, this newspaper was told. As a