Mulisa Simiyasa 

OTJIWARONGO – Otjozondjupa governor John //Khamuseb officially reported for duty at his office in Otjiwarongo on Friday for the first time. 

He was appointed on 28 March 2025 by President Netumbo Nandi- Ndaitwah. 

He was received by his predecessor James Uerikua at the Otjozondjupa Regional Council chambers in the presence of more than 100 community members, religious and traditional leaders, as well as various local and regional constituency councillors, including Swapo regional leadership. 

“We have to continue uniting as a region. Please assist me to identify potential for this region for us to achieve agriculture, food security and economic prosperity,” said //Khamuseb. 

Uerikua briefed //Khamuseb on several development projects underway in Otjozondjupa, including the tarring of roads between Okahandja and Okondjatu, road developments within the Okakarara, Tsumkwe and Grootfontein constituencies, as well as bulk water projects in the Okahandja, Otavi and Kombat areas. 

“I call upon you, the residents of this region, to work with Governor //Khamuseb in the same way you worked with me,” said Uerikua, who is now a member of the National Assembly. 

Various leaders in the region described the leadership transition between Uerikua and //Khamuseb as peaceful. 

This prompted the deputy chief of the /Gaia Daman Traditional Authority Johannes Ubiteb to publicly congratulate //Khamuseb on his appointment. 

Ubiteb encouraged the new governor to promote youth development and broader developmental initiatives by working hand-in-hand with all stakeholders within and beyond the region. //Khamuseb hails from Otavi. 

He previously served as special advisor to then- Otjozondjupa governor Otto Ipinge between 2015 and 2020. -Nampa