Opuwo Town Council Chief Executive Officer, Matjandjara Tjihuura-Katurota, has reaffirmed the council’s commitment to delivering essential services despite mounting challenges, calling on residents and investors to “trust the process” as the town undergoes transformation.

In an interview with New Era this week, Tjihuura-Katurota outlined the council’s vision, key achievements, ongoing challenges, and emerging investment opportunities aimed at positioning Opuwo as a strategic growth hub in the Kunene region.

LN: How is the council managing rapid urban growth?

MTK: We are managing urban growth through planned expansion and formalisation. This includes establishing reception areas, making land available to shack dwellers, and working with development partners to formalise informal settlements. Our goal is to provide serviced land and ensure orderly development as the town continues to grow.

LN: What are the main challenges in service delivery, particularly water, sanitation and housing?

MTK: The biggest challenges stem from rapid urbanisation, financial constraints and ageing infrastructure. We are currently facing a serious water deficit, which stands at about 120 cubic metres per hour, while supply is only around 70 cubic metres per hour.

Our infrastructure is old and heavily affected by high lime content in the water, which causes frequent pipe bursts and blockages. Environmental factors such as heavy rains and flooding have also damaged key infrastructure like boreholes and pipelines, leading to disruptions.

Another major issue is revenue. Our population is expected to reach between 23 000 and 30 000 by 2026, yet only about 3 600 residents are registered ratepayers. This creates a significant imbalance, as a small revenue base must sustain a rapidly growing town. Despite this, we continue to prioritise service delivery and infrastructure upgrades.

LN: Which sectors are you targeting for investment, and what opportunities exist?

MTK: Opuwo is strategically positioned as a gateway to the Kunene region, with access to natural resources and growth potential. We are targeting investment in several key sectors. These include mining and mineral beneficiation, tourism development such as lodges and hotels, education through private schools and training institutions, and the health sector through private hospitals.

We are also encouraging investment in retail and commercial infrastructure, the automotive industry, renewable energy projects, waste recycling industries, logistics and storage facilities, housing development, and recreational infrastructure.

Each of these sectors presents opportunities for job creation, economic diversification and long-term growth. However, potential alone is not enough, we need committed investors to partner with us to unlock these opportunities.

LN: How is the council creating jobs and supporting youth and small businesses?

MTK: The council has adopted a proactive, community-driven approach to job creation. One of our initiatives is the mass cleaning programme, where 30 residents are recruited on a rotational quarterly basis to maintain cleanliness in the town.

We have also established a waste buy-back centre, which allows residents to earn income through recycling activities. These programmes are rotational, ensuring that more unemployed residents, especially youth, benefit over time.

In addition, we have set up community monitoring teams, consisting of men and women working alongside the Namibian Police to improve compliance and reduce illegal activities. This initiative not only strengthens law enforcement but also provides structured employment opportunities.

The annual Opuwo Trade Fair is another key platform. It creates over 50 temporary jobs and offers small businesses an opportunity to showcase their products, access new markets and build networks.

LN: What major development projects are currently underway?

MTK: Several key infrastructure and development projects are currently underway in Opuwo, with a strong focus on improving water supply and sanitation. The Otuzemba VIP Area Water Project includes a water treatment system and reticulation network, supported by six boreholes and a reservoir.

Similarly, the Orutjandja Water Project is being implemented with two boreholes, a reservoir, and a full water treatment and distribution network. In addition, a new pump station is being constructed at Okatuuo, while the existing station is undergoing upgrades to improve efficiency and reliability.

Significant progress is also being made in sanitation infrastructure. This includes the construction of a 5.7-kilometre sewer gravity main using 450mm diameter concrete pipes, along with 51 manholes and inspection chambers. A concrete precast fence wall is also being built around the existing sewerage ponds to enhance safety and infrastructure protection.

Road infrastructure is another priority, with the upgrading of Chief Edward Mumbuu Street from gravel to segmented pavement. The council is also expanding the town’s footprint through a 2.5-kilometre boundary extension to accommodate future growth and development.

Housing delivery remains a central focus. The council is constructing 40 houses in partnership with Development Workshop and the National Housing Enterprise (NHE). In addition, 300 erven have been allocated to shack dwellers, with 257 houses already built and 157 still under construction. A further 60 houses are being developed under the Build Together Programme.

Efforts to formalise informal settlements are ongoing, including projects in Orutjandja North (Etati) in collaboration with the Namibia Housing Action Group (NHAG), as well as Katutura New/Old and Okatuuo with support from GIZ. The council has also made land available to the Ministry of Education, Innovation, Youth, Sport, Arts and Culture for the construction of a youth complex and sports stadium.

Further housing initiatives include the signing of a memorandum of understanding with NHE for the construction of 66 houses at Opuwo Extension 8. The mass housing project is also nearing completion, with 24 houses almost finished and 25 already handed over to beneficiaries in collaboration with the Ministry of Urban and Rural Development and NHE.

LN: How does the council generate revenue, and is it financially stable?

MTK: Our revenue comes from property rates and taxes, service fees such as water and refuse collection, and the sale of land. We are also working to formalise the informal sector by encouraging business registration and creating designated trading spaces.

Events such as the annual trade fair also contribute to revenue. This year’s fundraising gala raised over N$812 000 in pledges. Additionally, we receive government grants for capital projects.

However, revenue collection remains a challenge. To address this, we are introducing prepaid water meters and improving systems to broaden our revenue base.

LN: What are your top priorities for the next 12 months?

MTK: Our focus over the next 12 months is centred on critical infrastructure development and strengthening the council’s operational capacity to meet the growing demands of the town.

A key priority is improving revenue collection. This includes reviewing the valuation roll to ensure that all residents, businesses and public institutions are correctly billed in line with their zoning. The council also plans to acquire a GPS system to capture accurate property data in informal settlements, which will help expand the current revenue base beyond the estimated 3 600 ratepayers.

Strengthening human resources and building institutional capacity is another important focus area, as the council works to enhance service delivery through skilled personnel.

Addressing the ongoing water crisis remains urgent. The implementation of a Water and Sanitation Turnaround Strategy will prioritise closing the gap between supply and demand, currently at 70 cubic metres per hour versus 120 cubic metres per hour. This will involve engagement with NamWater and the Ministry of Urban and Rural Development, as well as the installation of new bulk water pipelines.

Debt management is also critical. The council has made progress in reducing its liabilities and continues to implement repayment agreements, particularly with NamWater, to stabilise its financial position.

In terms of infrastructure and service delivery, the council will focus on rehabilitating key systems, including water, sewer and electrical networks. Housing and land management will remain a priority, with continued efforts to formalise informal settlements and provide serviced land to meet rising demand.

Road infrastructure upgrades are planned, particularly the re-gravelling of major access roads such as Ondundu, Okatuuo, Central Town, Rani to Police Headquarters, Old Katutura and Otuzemba VIP.

LN: What is your message to residents and investors?

MTK: The past 33 months have been a period of significant change, requiring resilience and adaptability. I am proud of how both residents and investors have responded.

As we move forward, our focus is on accelerated growth through responsible development. We are balancing urgent infrastructure needs with the long-term wellbeing of our community.

Trust is our most important asset and that’s trust from residents that we are improving their lives, and trust from investors that we are creating sustainable value. We are committed to improving infrastructure, enhancing digital services, and creating a stable and attractive environment for investment.

I encourage residents to actively participate in community and business engagements, as their input is vital.

2026 must be a year where we turn challenges into opportunities. Our goal is not just to keep up, but to lead to sustainable local development.

lnashuuta@nepc.com.na