A brief profile of Omusati region

The landscape of the region is made up of mopane trees which is a dominant specie and spreads across the Region on shallow sand. The sandy parts of the region bears abundant makalani palms ‘omilunga’, fig trees ‘omikwiyu’, baobab trees ‘omikwa’ and marula trees ‘omigongo’, especially in the eastern part.

Climate

It is a semi-arid and characterized by the high temperature ranging between 25-37 degrees Celsius. The average rainfall per year is about 350-500mm between November to April. The Region falls under the very flat hydrogeological Cuvelai Basin dipping from some 1 150m above sea level (asl) in the north east to 1 080m asl in Etosha pan. The rainfall decreases from 600mm in the north east to 300 mm in the west.

The relatively high and reliable average rainfall allows for crop farming. After rain season, innovative irrigation systems are being utilized by locals to produce agricultural products. The ground water in the west and south of the region is sweet and shallow i.e. 1020 meters from surface. During droughts, pits are dug and serve as reliable sources of water. The rest of water sources in the region is predominantly saline.

Economic sector

The main sectors with economic potential that have been identified in Omusati region are agriculture, manufacturing, tourism and retailing. Omusati is predominantly an agricultural region, focusing on both crop and livestock farming. This is due to its fertile soil and the availability of water from the water canal. Among other crops, omahangu is successfully cultivated and consumed as a staple food. A canal which carries water from Ruacana River to Oshakati passes through Outapi town. The water from the canal is used for irrigation at the government-owned Farm at Etunda in Ruacana constituency where crops such as maize, watermelons, tomatoes, potatoes and bananas, amongst other fruits and vegetables are grown. Apart from the said activities, local people also engage in livestock farming, conservancies and retailing.

Commercial farming

Various irrigation crop farming projects are found in the region. For instance, Etunda Irrigation Project produces and milling tons of maize and wheat annually. It is the largest Scheme in the Region consisting of 600 hectares. Maize is the main crop on the commercial plot, while others are cultivated seasonally throughout the year. It produces more than 5 000 tons of maize and 2 000 tons of wheat annually, 100 tons of maize and more than 18 tons of wheat weekly. Bananas are planted on 6 hectares which has the capacity to yield 180 tons per year. The plantation flourishes while fruits such as guavas, mangos and citrus thrive well. Around 120 000 watermelons, 50 000 sweet melons and 20 000 butternuts are exported to neighbouring countries each year. It also offers opportunities to small scale farmers to cultivate vegetables on three hectares per small farmer. It also produces maize, watermelons, sweet melons, tomatoes, cabbage and sweet potatoes.

Small-scale commercial farming

Epandulo Project is one of the 35 projects situated along Olushandja Dam where cabbages, tomatoes, green peppers, water melons, sweet melons, sweet potatoes and butternuts are produced through the irrigation system.

Livestock farming

The region has different types of livestock such as cattle, sheep, goats and donkeys in all constituencies. According to statistics of the 2010 livestock census, there are 276 975 cattle, 14 737 sheep, 245 497 goats and 155 393 poultry in the region. There are well established vaccination facilities (pens) throughout the region as well as breeding stations like Oshaambelo and Ogongo Unam centres. The cattle farming and goats are very important because community members slaughter them and sell cooked and uncooked meat.

Tourism and wildlife

The Ruacana Waterfront, Otjipahuriro Community Camp Site, Omugulugwoombashe National Heritage, Ombalantu Baobab Tree, Okahao Baobab Tree, Outapi War Museum, Olufuko Festival Centre, Giant Baobab Tree near Tsandi Village Council, Salt Pan in Otamanzi, Tsandi Royal Homestead and Cultural Heritage Museum and Ogongo Game Camp, to mention a few, are worth visiting. Again, the accommodation facilities are well established in and around the region.

Among others in Outapi Town, there is Outapi Town Hotel, Mini Lodge, Outapi Guest House, Mwaa Bed and Breakfast and Villa Tresa Bed and Breakfast. Omaka Travel and Ketu Guest House are located in Okalongo Settlement, Eha and Mayayu in

Ruacana Town, Ongozi Lodge and King Uushona Lodge in Okahao Town, Tia Monika Bed and Breakfast in Oshikuku Town and Uukwaluudhi Hotel in Tsandi Village.

Conservancies

There are three Conservancies in the region, namely Sheya Shuushona Conservancy in Okahao constituency, Uukwaluudhi Conservancy and Uukwaludhi Safari Lodge in Tsandi constituency. The Government has relocated about 400 heads of game into these Conservancies which includes 47 rare black-faced impalas and four endangered black rhinos, warthogs, african wild cats, bat eared fox, black nose impalas, blue wild beasts, bush bucks, elephants, giraffes, hyenas, kudus, mongoose, oryx, springboks, zebras, leopards and cheetahs. Apart from the said games, about 116 mammal species are found in the region. It also boasts with 430 bird species, 25 species of amphibians out of which 13 are largely depending on reverence habitats, 67 species of reptiles and 71 fish species.

Ogongo Game Camp

Ogongo Game Park is part of Ogongo Campus of the University of Namibia. It consists of 1 000 hectares. The camp has variety of bird species, including ostriches and other games such as zebras, giraffes, springboks and oryx etc.

Ruacana Waterfall

This site attracts lots of tourists, both local and foreign visitors, especially during the peak of December holidays. Plans are also underway at the regional government to develop the Waterfront at Ruacana as well as to support and accelerate the construction of the Export Processing Zone (EPZ) at Omahenene Border Posts. It will further boost economic activities within and around the region.

Omugulugwoombashe

The armed liberation struggle for the liberation of the country started at Omugulugwoombashe in Tsandi constituency on 26 August 1966. The liberation struggle lasted for 24 years before Namibia got her independence on 21 March 1990. The site is declared as the national heritage, but it needs to be marketed to both tourists and visitors, while further development is essential to enable it to reach its maximum potential.

Salt pan

The region has two salt pans, namely Ongandjera Salt Pan in Okahao constituency and Otjiwarunda Salt Pan in Otamanzi constituency. They are major sources of income to communities residing in the vicinity within the region. They consist of large alkaline and saline contents and they have the potential to further increase industrial activities in the region and thereby creating employment opportunities.

Olufuko Festival

This is a female initiation where girls of about twelve years are being prepared before marriage in accordance with local beliefs and culture. It is performed by an elderly man, known as ‘namunganga’ and celebrated through performing and dancing local music. In addition to tourism attraction, it also aims at strengthening local and regional economy, through attracting visitors with buying capacity.

Outapi War Museum

Outapi War Museum is located in the then South African Military Base which accommodated the South African troops during the colonial time. There is also a well-documented history of the heroes and heroines of the Namibian liberation struggle. It is now turned into the Museum with good accommodation facilities.

Ombalantu Baobab Tree

It is the biggest tree of its kind and it is located in the centre of Outapi town behind the open market. It has been previously used as the post office by the colonial administrators as well as a church by the South African troops. Another historical baobab tree is located in Okahao town. According to historians, it has been used as the shade where ancestors had performed certain rituals.

There is also Onatshiku Cultural Village which is preserving Uukwambi heritage where they show case their traditions and culture through an Open-Air Museum and Exhibitions.