Auleria Wakudumo
Oshikoto governor Sacky Kathindi has urged farmers to remain committed to agriculture.
He stated that the region has the potential to become Namibia’s food basket.
Speaking during his state of the region address, the governor highlighted the critical role that agriculture plays in securing the nation’s future and sustainable rural economies.
“To the farmers of Oshikoto, continue farming. You are not just feeding your families, but you are feeding the region and nation, and shaping our destiny. This region has the potential to become a true food basket for Namibia. With your continued dedication, that vision will become a reality,” the governor stated.
As part of the region’s efforts to empower communities and strengthen land governance, over 2 000 customary land right certificates were recently handed to the Ondonga Traditional Authority for distribution.
The certificates are part of efforts to formalise land tenure, especially in communal areas.
Furthermore, 22 occupational land rights were issued for the first time in the region’s history, primarily benefitting educational institutions.
Re venue from communa l and resettlement lease agreements also brought in over N$165 000, contributing to the sustainability of land administration.
The region is, furthermore, making significant progress in infrastructure development, with several ongoing projects aimed at improving access to electricity, clean water and sanitation in rural communities.
These initiatives are not only enhancing service delivery but also creating employment opportunities and improving the quality of life for residents.
The governor stated that the region had undertaken major electrification efforts across key constituencies, such as Eengodi, Nahale Lya Mpingana, Oniipa and Okankolo.
These include supplying power to schools, churches and growth points.
“Electricity was provided to Hedimbi Primary School, Hedimbi Health Care Centre and three growth points in Nehale Lya Mpingana, Onaluthipa and Ondjambayonghalu combined schools, churches, growth points in Eengodi and Okankolo, the Oshamba/Limbu growth point in Oniipa as well as Oniipa Extension 5 and Onandjamba village at a total cost of approximately N$14.2 million,” Kathindi said.
In terms of water provision, several pipelines were constructed and upgraded to increase access to clean drinking water in Onyaanya, Omuntele, Onayena and Okankolo.
Several water pipeline projects have been completed to improve access to clean water in the Oshikoto region.
The 4 kilometres (km) Onakahama pipeline in Omuntele and the 4.2 km Ashingwe Vaino Nelulu pipeline in Onayena are both fully completed.
The Okakango-Onamvula B pipeline is also finished, while work on the Oshiyagaya East pipeline in Okankolo and Omuntele is 65% complete.
Tourism revenue
Over N$1.2 million generated in 2024 fuels development, food security and wildlife protection.
The King Nehale Conservancy in the Oshikoto region has emerged as a model of how environmental stewardship and natural resource management can directly benefit rural communities.
The governor stated that in 2024, alone, the conservancy generated more than N$1.26 million in revenue through sustainable tourism and controlled hunting activities.
The conservancy also distributed game meat, 27 wildebeest and one elephant to the community while selling 34 wildebeest for further revenue generation. “Efforts to curb human-wildlife conflict included electrifying the Etosha National Park boundary fence and constructing predator-proof kraals at Amalyanga,” he revealed.
Challenges
The Oshikoto Directorate of Education continues to operate from Ondangwa, 90 km outside the region.
This raises concerns over inefficient service delivery and lost economic opportunities for Omuthiya.
Meanwhile, high school dropout rates persist, largely due to long distances to schools, inadequate transport and poor infrastructure in some areas.
Despite notable healthcare projects such as the paediatric and maternity wards at Onandjokwe, access to quality healthcare remains limited in remote areas.
The governor also raised concerns about the unemployment among the youth in Oshikoto, gender-based violence, crime and challenges faced by the marginalised communities in the region. -wakudumoauleria@gmail.com