Otjinene
The construction of the Otjinene Vocational Training Centre is now a foregone conclusion, following the official launch of the Kavitundema Trust last Saturday, and the groundbreaking at the site where the centre is to be built.
Despite initial hiccups – mainly due to misunderstandings and misperceptions among various stakeholders, notable among them the Office of the Governor, the Maharero Royal House and the initiator of the project, Dr Olga Kamuruao, with threats of withholding land – from the proceedings on Saturday it appeared the project is now finally airborne, provided the requisite financial resources are secured.
Following some initial misgivings due to a lack of proper understanding of either the essence of the project – if not the good intentions of the initiator – the launch of the trust and the groundbreaking ceremony took place in a convivial atmosphere of camaraderie and resolve to bring development to Otjinene Constituency.
It was apparent from many of the main stakeholders and role players of the project that they are starting to see light at the end of the tunnel, as far as the development project benefits the area, particularly in uplifting the youth.
Among key stakeholders who graced the occasion was the Office of the Omaheke Governor, represented by Pijo Nganate, special advisor to Governor Festus Ueitele.
Otjinene Constituency Councillor Vetarera Katjizeu, chairperson of the Village Council Ladine Kauta and traditional leaders, notably the Chief of the Maharero Royal House and the Maharero Royal House Traditional Authority and Chief Metirapi of the Ovaherero
Traditional Authority (OTA), as well as a representative of the /Gobanin Traditional Authority.
Some key stakeholders were conspicuous in their absence, notable among them the Ministry of Higher Education and Vocational Training, Namibia Training Authority (NTA), Namibia Qualification Authority (NQA) and last but not the least the patron of the Trust, Professor Peter Katjavivi.
The day was marked by instructive and inspiring speeches by various role players present, followed by the groundbreaking ceremony at the site where the centre would be built, southwest of Otjinene on the Otjinene-Okondjatu road.
The symbolic groundbreaking was marked by leading role players into the building of the centre, fronted by traditional leaders and/or their representatives.
The envisaged centre also seemed to be receiving blessings from above as a drizzle of rain descended on Otjinene shortly after the groundbreaking ceremony.
On hand to spice up the occasion culturally and musically were the Ongoronmundu Yoruvanda Oviritje band, Gustav Kandjii Junior Secondary School and C. Ngatjizeko Primary School.
Being a Namibian musical powerhouse, of course Ongoronomundu did not fail.
Gustav Kandjii Acapella also impressed to crowd, causing Chief Tjinaani Maharero of the Maharero Royal House Traditional Authority to be exceptionally proud, to the extent that he sounded out a warning that the choir was only a taste of what Otjinene is destined for.
The launch programme would not have been the success it was, if not for the able directorship of Eino Mbango, a lynchpin of the Trust secretariat.
One of the courses the centre plans to offer deals with hospitality and tourism. For those interested in taking courses at the centre, it is still long before they can do this, as construction still needs to start once the requisite funds are obtained and once would-be sponsors fulfill their pledges.