Otjiwarongo a hive of activity

Otjiwarongo’s reputation as a town to watch, in terms of development activities, including the construction of more than 400 low-cost houses, improving the life of local pensioners and projects aimed at uplifting youth in the town, continues to grow. The town’s reputation as a hub of activity and achievements was again underscored when it took the top prize, beating dozens of other serious contenders, in the Namibia Media Holdings 2017 Namibia Town of the Year competition. “Since winning the title, Otjiwarongo’s town profile has been elevated to become a town to be reckoned with. People are excited to visit our town and do business here,” municipal spokesperson Adelheid Shilongo said. Shilongo said other Namibian towns have reached out to the municipality, asking for advice on their “winning strategy”, hopeful to copy it for the 2018 Town of the Year competition. Mass housing in full swingPlans to build more than 400 low-cost houses under the Mass Housing Programme are also in full swing, with nine construction companies recently contracted to build five houses each over the next three months in order for the municipality to evaluate the quality of houses and make a final decision. The houses will be built in the newly serviced Freedom Park and Heroes Park, areas that have been cleared to make way for the one- to three-bedroom homes. In May, Otjiwarongo chief executive officer Ismael /Howoseb said that overall, more than 2 300 residential, business and industrial plots were being serviced or had been finalised in recent months. The town also recently offered the Ministry of Education a plot for a school in the new Ombili informal settlement and once the ministry has constructed the school, children from the area will benefit from a school close by. In terms of support services for local inhabitants, the municipality has budgeted N$1.5 million in aid of pensioners, of which N$200 000 is earmarked for sewerage services, on which they will receive a 25% discount.The budget also includes N$300 000 for sanitation, under which pensioners will receive a 13% discount on refuse removal, as well as N$100 000 for water supply.Shilongo explained that pensioners will benefit from a decision to provide the first 3 000 litres of water for free, provided that pensioners have an installed prepaid meter. The municipality moreover resolved not to increase the current N$900 tariff for grave space at the Orwetoveni cemetery for the 2017/18 financial year. “Last year the council took a resolution to rebate N$400 on grave space for pensioners and other individuals who receive government social grants,” Shilongo added. These same families further receive a N$450 government rebate, which leaves a remaining payment of N$50 for grave space. In May, the municipality said they had budgeted for the construction of a volleyball court at the Paresis sports stadium, the upgrading of public parks and the resealing of around 14 kilometres of tarred streets in the town. Money will also be spent on the maintenance of public toilets and upgrading of pavements along Rukumbi Kandanga Street and in the Orwetoveni residential area. Other projects include fencing the dumpsite and sewage ponds. All come together nowIn another effort to boost the town’s national attractiveness, the municipality’s bid to host the Namibian Local Authorities Sport and Recreation Association Games (NALASRA) this year was successful. Shilongo explained that the economic impact of these types of sporting events is one of the primary reasons for bidding as the financial benefits are significant, with all 57 local authorities expected to participate in various sport codes, including football, netball, tug-of-war, marathons, fun walks and more. “The games will offer a golden opportunity for local businesses such as accommodation establishments, restaurants and SMEs to capitalise on the event.”This is the town’s second opportunity to host the event, which will take place in May 2018. No quiet momentsThe hive of development activity is set to continue in the next financial year, when Otjiwarongo’ s municipality hopes to begin servicing a further five extensions, adding at least 800 residential and business erven to the town’s layout. The cost of servicing the ten extensions plus two Mass Housing extensions was estimated at more than N$360 million, Namibian Sun reported in May 2017.The municipality has also begun to plan for the creation of an SME business park in an effort to organise relevant businesses at a central and easily accessible location. /Howoseb in May emphasised that Otjiwarongo ensures it offers a competitive advantage to private entities, to boost employment, by making property available at affordable prices. “That is why people are coming here.”He said although Otjiwarongo is not at the nexus of “big industries like other towns, we are doing well.” He said that a new cement factory is set to open its doors soon and two large grocery stores have opened new branches in recent months in Orwetoveni, one of the town’s most populated and lively suburbs. He said these are welcome developments which indicate that business have trust in the local economy.The government has also been eyeing the town, with talk of a regional referral hospital as well as a new institute of pathology being opened there. Although Otjiwarongo doesn’t rank as one of the three largest towns in Namibia, /Howoseb said that “in terms of infrastructure and modern technology” the town is a top contender that offers excellent facilities, telecommunications, schools, a railway station and other developments.JANA-MARI SMITH

Otjiwarongo a hive of activity

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Namibian Sun 2025-07-01

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Otjiwarongo a hive of activity

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Namibian Sun 2025-07-01

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