Endowed with a variety of minerals and gems, fish species and agricultural produce, the //Kharas region has steadily developed as an important economic powerhouse since independence.
“As a region, //Kharas has achieved remarkable milestones in creating an enabling environment for socio-economic development which includes; access to quality education, affordable housing, potable water, and improvement of sanitation, as well as to attract investment in the utilisation of natural resources for greater economic growth and employment creation,” said governor Aletha Frederick during an exclusive interview with New Era.
She added that it is a well-known fact that the region boasts a thriving diverse mixed economy with nationally and globally recognised economic sectors such as agriculture, mining, and fishing. The governor also said the region is a high-end profitable tax-generating area, which predominantly comes from diamond mining for the central government.
Reporting on behalf of all stakeholders engaged in developing the region, she said the Directorate of Water Supply and Sanitation Coordination (DWSSC) maintained 493 water points. On the drought situation in the region, she highlighted the fact that more than N$30 million has been allocated by government and other corporates to mitigate the risks of livelihoods because of the perennial and persistent drought conditions.
‘’In terms of the tourism sector, our region is blessed with globally-renowned attractions, including the hot water springs at Ai-Ais, Warmbad and /Ganigobes, Kokerboom Forest near Keetmanshoop, Fish River Canyon (the second-largest in the world), Brukaros Mountain (a former volcano) in Berseba, coastal town of Lüderitz, and several guests and game farms which have become important tourist attractions,’’ she highlighted.
She also said, in terms of infrastructural development at the Ministry of Health and Social Services, a budgetary provision will be made for the upgrading of the Keetmanshoop State hospital and construction of the Aussenkehr Health Centre and Rosh Pinah District hospital.
“As a means to combat further spread of the coronavirus, the line ministry with the assistance from stakeholders could succeed in its goal to establish screening/surveillance and isolation centres at Keetmanshoop hospital and the Noordoewer and Ariamsvlei border posts,” she said.
The governor also mentioned the opening of the Unam Southern campus, as a means to facilitate tertiary education while a satellite campus will be constructed in Lüderitz, which will also host the National Maritime Museum. A primary school has been constructed in Vaalgras while several schools and hostels have been renovated in the region.
“Ablution facilities have also been renovated at schools as a measure to mitigate the effects of Covid-19,” said Frederick.
In terms of the promotion of international relations, a twinning agreement has been signed with the Northern Cape Province to improve relations between the two countries, according to her. Capital projects completed include the renovation of the Keetmanshoop police barracks, state of the art Ombudsman’s office and construction of police barracks at Aroab.
‘’The upgrade and rehabilitation of the B1 national road going through our region, ongoing chicken farming projects, as well as donation of material and equipment to residents, speak of our efforts to provide employment in the region,’’ she reported. Frederick also mentioned the construction of low cost houses as well as that of basic services in the region as a means to provide housing and basic services to residents.
The governor added that the construction of the //Kharas-Oasis truck port, gravel roads in districts, government office park, Unam southern campus and Keetmanshoop vocational training centre are ongoing capital projects whilst the green energy hydrogen and Neckartal Dam irrigation projects will create employment and stimulate the economic recovery of the region and the country as a whole.
//Kharas region is the southernmost and least densely populated region in Namibia. It consists of Keetmanshoop as its capital with towns of Karasburg, Lüderitz and Oranjemund. Aroab, Berseba, Bethanie, Koës and Tses are self-governed villages.
It is furthermore demarcated into seven constituencies namely Keetmanshoop Urban, Keetmanshoop Rural, Berseba, Karasburg West, Karasburg East, Lüderitz and Oranjemund.