Malachite on Shattuckite with Quartz
Omaue Mine, Kaokoveld Plateau
Kunene region, Namibia

#mineral #mineralspecimen #gemstone #gemology #geology #malachite #shattuckite #quartz #omauemine #kaokoveldplateau #kuneneregion #namibia #nature #beauty

Spreader Fishing donates ICT equipment to Kunene schools Spreader Fishing donates ICT equipment to Kunene schools NBC Online Fri, 08/15/2025 - 18:56

#DigitalEducation #Namibia #ICTEquipment #KuneneRegion #SpreaderFishing

Kunene Resource School symbolises Namibia’s commitment to inclusive education President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, Kamanjab, 26 April 2025 At the onset, I would like to congratulate Kunene region for its recent victory in the Nedbank Namibian Newspaper Cup and the historic achievement of Mamie Kasaona as being the first female coach to lead this mighty region to victory.  Congratulations coach Kasaona and congratulations to the people of Kunene Region. Today we stand at a turning point, not only for the people of Kamanjab and the Kunene region, but for our country’s long-term journey toward inclusive and equitable development. The groundbreaking of the Kunene Resource School marks a vital milestone in our national education infrastructure agenda, and I am pleased to be part of this significant milestone. The government of the Republic of Namibia, under my leadership, has placed access to inclusive, quality education at the heart of our development vision. This includes a deliberate commitment to ensure that no child is left behind, regardless of ability, location, or circumstance. In 2022, the National Conference on Education compelled us to renew our priorities. One of its key outcomes was the recognition that our education infrastructure must evolve to meet the needs of all learners. What followed was a bold, multi-year initiative led by the Ministry of Education, Innovation, Youth, Sport, Arts and Culture – a national drive to strengthen education infrastructure from 2023 to 2030, with a specific focus on inclusive access across all fourteen regions. Kunene is among the regions where that commitment has now taken visible form. The case for this school is clear: more than 500 children in this region live with a range of disabilities, from hearing and visual impairments to autism, intellectual and physical disabilities. These children have for too long faced structural barriers that limited their access to appropriate, adapted education. This project is a decisive response to that challenge. The Kunene Regional Council, under the leadership of the then governor Marius Sheya, acted with vision and urgency in calling for a dedicated resource school. The ministry heard that call, not as a request, but as a responsibility. And so today, we break ground on a school that will feature dedicated facilities for learners with hearing, visual and intellectual impairments. This is not an ordinary school. It is a purpose-built space designed with care, adapted to curriculum, and aligned with Namibia’s Sector Policy on Inclusive Education.  It will house classrooms, hostel blocks, ablution facilities, and a kitchen and dining area. Most importantly, it will offer dignity and tailored support to learners who deserve every opportunity to grow, thrive, and contribute. I wish to note that the choice of Kamanjab as the site is not incidental. Its central location and accessible road infrastructure make it an ideal hub, one that will serve communities across the region efficiently and equitably. Furthermore, we have taken deliberate steps to ensure that the construction process itself is streamlined. By partnering with a public entity for the execution of this first phase, we are prioritising both efficiency and accountability.  This phase, valued at approximately N$34.8 million, will be completed within this financial year, 2025/26. This government does not simply build schools. We build the future. We act with purpose so that every child, regardless of the challenges they may face, finds their place in the Namibian house. As we turn this soil, we recommit, not just to infrastructure, but to equity, inclusion and justice. Let us move forward with resolve, and ensure that this project becomes a model for how public investment can touch lives where it matters most. I extend my gratitude to the Kunene Regional Council, the Ministry of Education, Innovation, Youth, Sports, Arts and Culture, our local leaders, and the parents and communities who continue to believe in the power of education to transform lives. Let us work together, with one vision and one purpose, to bring this school to completion. And let it stand, not only as a building, but as a statement of who we are and what we stand for as a country. Let the dust of hope be seen everywhere in Namibia – especially at Epupa, Sesfontein, Opuwo Rural, Opuwo Urban, Khorixas, Outjo, and right here at Kamanjab. I thank you. HER-EXCELLENCY-STATEMENT-AT-THE-GROUND-BREAKING-_250426_122552Download The post Kunene Resource School symbolises Namibia’s commitment to inclusive education appeared first on The Namibian.

#Namibia #InclusiveEducation #KuneneRegion #EducationForAll #Empowerment

Epupa mining complaints attributed to miscommunication Miscomunication and a lack of a decentralised regional structure are to blame for complaints against mining activities in areas of the Epupa constituency in the Kunene region. This is according to a report by ombudsman Basilius Dyakugha. Late last year, Dyakugha and his team conducted an investigation into complaints by traditional leaders in the Epupa constituency regarding the extraction of minerals, mostly copper. The team visited several mining sites including the Kaokoland and held meetings with communities concerning mining activities in the area. Dyakugha on Tuesday reported: “The complaints regarding the alleged unlawful extraction of minerals in the Kunene region were largely attributed to poor communication, failure or lack of following decentralisation regional structures like village development committees, and insufficient consultation between miners, local communities and traditional leaders in the affected areas.” The report noted that the power struggle between gazetted and non-gazetted traditional leaders remains a significant concern, and a primary cause of disunity among the leaders and their communities. It further suggested that infighting between recognised and unrecognised leaders results in communities being segregated. In the report, the ombudsman’s office suggested that all constituencies in the Kunene region should establish committees that collaborate with the traditional authorities in order to facilitate an inclusive and honest approach to mining activities, and also, to protect the rights of indigenous and marginalised communities. “The Kunene Regional Council should ensure that each constituency office sets up village development committees and constituency development committees working with their respective traditional authorities,” the reported noted. The objections against illegal mineral mining in the Epupa constituency were lodged on 5 March 2024 with the ombudsman’s office. The report further warned that these types of problems may escalate with the growing mining interest in the region if no solution is found. “The growing demand for mining activities in the Kunene region is likely to exacerbate these issues if no action is taken to address the concerns raised,” the report read. During investigations in the Kunene region, the Office of the Ombudsman observed 1 042 new mining claims, 10 active mining licences and 327 active mining claims. The post Epupa mining complaints attributed to miscommunication appeared first on The Namibian.

#EpupaMining #MiningComplaints #KuneneRegion #LocalCommunities #Decentralisation

Muharukua brands Opuwo stadium sale to Chicco ‘selfish’ Kunene governor Vipuakuje Muharukua says the decision by the Opuwo Town Council to sell a state-owned stadium was selfish. The ministry of education, innovation youth, sport, arts and culture announced plans to construct a new stadium in the Kunene region last week at the Nedbank Namibian Newspaper Cup. Muharukua yesterday told The Namibian that Popular Democratic Movement (PDM) councillors and the Opuwo Town Council let down the youth by selling Opuwo’s only stadium in 2013. He said both PDM and the government prioritised money over its young people when they sold the land to property mogul Erastus ‘Chicco’ Shapumba, who later sold it to local businessman Gerrit Schoeman for about N$5 million without allegedly making any improvements. “PDM has disappointed many young people and sport lovers, not just me. Sport has regressed because the Opuwo Town Council and PDM councillors chose money over our young people. “PDM must do the right thing and donate the land to the ministry and not sell it to the ministry,” he said. ‘SELFISH DECISION’ According to Muharukua, PDM’s ‘selfish’ decision has left a negative impact in the region. “[Dino] Ballotti is now trying to reverse the negative impact of that decision,” he said. Executive director of education Mbumba Haitengela yesterday said the town council has generously donated a piece of land in the region to construct a new stadium. He denied allegations that they wanted to approach Shapumba to buy back the land. “The ministry has never sold any land at Opuwo to Shapumba. The sale of the original stadium land was a decision made by the Opuwo Town Council, and the ministry. Therefore, any suggestion of an error on the ministry’s part is unfounded. Erastus ‘Chicco’ Shapumba “The town council has since fulfilled this commitment by donating a new, fenced-off erf to the ministry. This newly allocated plot is separate from the one previously sold and will be the site for the new planned stadium. “We are currently finalising the design work for the project. The Opuwo Town Council can confirm that the two plots are entirely different and that the ministry has not been involved in the sale of land to Shapumba,” he said. PDM national spokesperson Geoffrey Mwilima says the land was sold under Swapo’s government. He says PDM was not in place at the time of the sale, as alleged by Muharukua. “It was sold under the Swapo government in 2013 not PDM. It is puzzling why he [Muharikua] is blaming PDM because he is no more PDM. “There is already a stadium approved and is spearheaded by the PDM mayor. We are quite happy about the social achievement especially on the purpose of reducing crime.” CHEAP POLITICS Opuwo mayor Rosa Mbinge-Tjeundo says Muharukua is trying to play cheap politics. “He is coming from America and he does not know what he is saying nor does he care about the region. His time to play cheap politics is over, the land was sold in 2013 already. “We are here for the region’s development and the community, not to play cheap games. The ministry is now able to construct a new stadium all because of PDM,” she said. YOUTH ACTIVIST Landless People’s Movement Youth Command leader Duminga Ndala says young people should be empowered. “It is very disheartening that at first the government sold land to a private person that was earmarked for the stadium and for the development of young people. “The empowerment of young people should not be lip service but it should take place in a way that young people are really empowered and whatever is earmarked for young people should take place and be provided as such,” she says. Ndala says repurchasing another stadium will be a waste of resources. “That will be a major waste of resources and the major question is who knows if the same act will not be done, because what has changed since 2013 to now,” she says. The post Muharukua brands Opuwo stadium sale to Chicco ‘selfish’ appeared first on The Namibian.

#OpuwoStadium #YouthSports #SportsDevelopment #Namibia #KuneneRegion

Kunene Region Resource School Breaks Ground to Empower Learners with Disabilities Kunene Region Resource School Breaks Ground to Empower Learners with Disabilities NBC Online Sat, 04/26/2025 - 15:37

#Empowerment #InclusiveEducation #DisabilityAwareness #EducationForAll #KuneneRegion

Prime minister Elijah Ngurare breaks ground for Kunene resource school Prime minister Elijah Ngurare on Saturday officiated the ground-breaking ceremony for the construction of a resource school at Kamanjab in the Kunene region. Ngurare was accompanied by his deputy, Natangwe Ithete, education minister Sanet Steenkamp, Kunene governor Vipua Muharukua, and other dignitaries. Speaking on behalf of president Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, Ngurare said Kamanjab’s central location and accessibility makes it an ideal site for the school. “Furthermore, we have taken deliberate steps to ensure the construction process itself is streamlined. By partnering with a public entity for the execution of this first phase, we are prioritising both efficiency and accountability.” He said the first phase of the project is worth about N$34.8 million and will be completed within this financial year. Steenkamp heralded the project as one bringing dignity to every child in the region. “Today we gather, not to break ground for a school alone, but to affirm something deeper – the dignity of every child, regardless of their ability or circumstance. “We are here because education must go where children are, we are called to see differently, to act courageously, and to build deliberately,” she said. The post Prime minister Elijah Ngurare breaks ground for Kunene resource school appeared first on The Namibian.

#Namibia #Education #ResourceSchool #Kamanjab #KuneneRegion

Kasaona takes Newspaper Cup success in her stride Kunene region was going to win the Nedbank Namibian Newspaper Cup eventually, says the 2025 tournament’s winning coach, Uerikondjera ‘Mammie’ Kasaona. In leading Kunene to the title on home soil earlier this week, she ended decades of heartache and underachievement in the country’s premiere youth sport competition for the region. The humble 38-year-old mentor downplays her historic feat, saying it was a case of the stars aligning for the region. “It was bound to happen,” Kasaona says. “God’s timing is the perfect one. Indeed, the ‘Great Kunene’ is honoured and we have done it at home.” Kasaona carved her name in Namibian football folklore by becoming the first woman to coach a team to the Newspaper Cup title. Again she attributes that feat down to fate, saying she only did her part in the collective success. As a Kunene-native, she felt bound by duty to help the region achieve its goal. “I think everything has its own timing and God’s timing is never wrong. So, I appreciate what God has done to us,” she says. “Personally, it’s always about giving back to where you come from. Home is where the heart belongs. Indeed, it [effort] came with a winning prize. We are grateful for this blessing.” Kasaona’s historic achievement is not by chance, says Namibia Women’s Football chairperson Monica Shapua. She is finally reaping the rewards of her dedication to improving the craft. “It’s something we as women’s football are proud of. It’s something that has been long coming. It’s historic, but it’s a long-term plan that we had for women’s football,” says Shapua, adding that Kasaona is a student of the ‘beautiful game’ who lives and breathes football. This borderline obsession with football is her main strength, a trait she has carried from her playing days to coaching. “Being the first female to coach a regional team and win the competition, it’s not a child’s play,” says Shapua. “It’s a lot of hard work, a lot of determination, a lot of passion for the game that is put in and this is the result that is coming out now. “This was not by luck. It takes a lot of planning, It takes a lot of hard work. It takes a lot of determination to do that. She has been putting in the work for a very long time. Shapua would like to see the ‘Himba Gladiator’ taking charge of the Brave Gladiators or junior national teams full-time. Kasaona has been involved in these sides as an assistant or interim head coach in the past. “Give her enough preparation. Give her a technical team of her desire, enough preparation and support financially. “I know she can achieve great things. It means a lot for women’s football. It shows the return on investment that we have been putting in.” Tim Ekandjo, a football fanatic when not working in the corporate world, heaps praise on Kasaona for her landmark moment. “I thought that was quite an inspiring moment in our football history, which we should celebrate,” Ekandjo said when announcing a kit donation towards the national teams yesterday. “I’m not sure whether it was the fact that she’s female or whether she just had a good team. But either way, when the team loses, we like to blame the coach. So, when the team wins, we should also then celebrate the effort or the strategies that the coaches employed as well.” The post Kasaona takes Newspaper Cup success in her stride appeared first on The Namibian.

#NamibianFootball #KuneneRegion #WomenInSport #FootballCoach #EmpowerWomen

Under-resourced regions excelled at the Newspaper Cup Erasmus Shalihaxwe Kunene Region was crowned champions of the 2025 Nedbank Newspaper Cup after defeating Kavango West 2-0 in the football final, marking a historic first win for the team. The victory, achieved on home soil, was guided by head coach Tuerikondjera Kasaona, who made history as the first woman to coach a men’s team to a tournament win. Kasaona also serves as assistant coach of the Debmarine Premier League side Blue Waters. “This win means a lot to the people of Kunene. It’s even more special that we did it at home in front of our supporters who have been behind us since day one,” said Kasaona, who credited the players and the region’s supporters for the achievement. Former Kunene governor Marius Sheya applauded the team’s technical staff for their dedication. “It was not easy, but the coach and the team worked hard. Our plan was to win both football and netball, and while we fell short in netball, we are proud of this win,” Sheya said. In the netball final, Kavango East beat Omaheke 40-20 to claim the championship. Patricia Haikera of Kavango East was named Player of the Match. Deputy Minister of Education, Innovation, Youth, Sports, Arts and Culture, Dino Ballotti, praised both Kavango regions for their strong performances.  “This is a great day for the Kavango regions. These are under-resourced regions, yet they reached the finals in both football and netball. This is a testament to their hard work,” Ballotti said. He also commended the tournament organisers and private sector sponsors for providing a platform for Namibian youth to showcase their talent.

#NewspaperCup #KuneneRegion #FootballVictory #WomenInSports #ErasmusShalihaxwe

Over 1 000 voters registered at Kamanjab, Sesfontein ahead of by-elections A total of 1 039 eligible voters were registered during the supplementary process in the Kunene region’s Kamanjab and Sesfontein constituencies ahead of by-elections in June. The three-day supplementary registration process commenced on Thursday and concluded at 19h00 on Saturday. Electoral Commission of Namibia (ECN) election officer for the Kunene region Mike Nganjone told Nampa on Tuesday that the registration exercise went smoothly, noting only minor technical issues related to the voter registration kits. “Although we faced a few minor issues with the kits, there were no significant challenges that could have delayed or disrupted the registration process. We successfully registered all eligible voters who showed up at the stations,” Nganjone said. He said Kamanjab registered 249 voters, while Sesfontein saw a total of 790 eligible voters registered. Nganjone expressed satisfaction with the turnout during the registration period. The eligible registrants included those who turned 18 this year, individuals who lost or damaged their voter’s cards, residents who relocated to the Kamanjab and Sesfontein constituencies, and those who did not receive voter’s cards in 2024. The supplementary registration and by-elections are intended to fill the vacancies created by Nico Somaeb of Kamanjab and Hedrick Gaobaeb of Sesfontein, both of whom joined the National Assembly under the United Democratic Front (UDF) after resigning from their positions as councillors. According to the Regional Councils Act, elections must be held within 90 days prior to the next elections when a vacancy arises to fill that vacancy. Additionally, Nganjone highlighted the critical role of voter education during elections, stressing the need for ongoing initiatives to ensure the public is well-informed about the electoral process. He said voter and civic education efforts will continue until the voting date, set for 17 June. The post Over 1 000 voters registered at Kamanjab, Sesfontein ahead of by-elections appeared first on The Namibian.

#NamibiaElections #VoterRegistration #KuneneRegion #Kamanjab #Sesfontein

Floods ravage Kunene Region, relief to be airlifted to affected villages Floods ravage Kunene Region, relief to be airlifted to affected villages NBC Online Sat, 04/05/2025 - 16:23

#Floods #KuneneRegion #DisasterRelief #ClimateChange #NaturalDisaster

New ​​Okangwati township planned to address housing and infrastructure needs Hertta-maria Amutenja  Plans are underway for the development of Okangwati Extension 3, a new township at Okangwati Settlement to address housing and infrastructure challenges for ultra-low-income residents in the Kunene Region. The Kunene Regional Council, acting on behalf of the Okangwati Settlement Council, has initiated the project, which will include residential, business, and institutional erven.  The township is intended to improve service delivery and upgrade existing infrastructure in Okangwati. A public notice published in local newspapers announced that Ritta Khiba Planning Consultants had been appointed to oversee the process and would be applying to the Urban and Regional Planning Board for formal approval. “The establishment of the township will facilitate an adequate supply of residential, business, institutional, and civic erven to cater to the town’s ultra-low-income residents and upgrade existing infrastructure. This will create a conducive environment for residents of Okangwati Settlement to live in,” read the notice. However, several details remain unclear, including timelines, service delivery plans, and whether the application for township establishment has already been submitted. The notice does not include information on the provision of water, electricity, sanitation, or road networks. The Kunene Regional Council and the consultants have not responded to queries regarding the township plans by the time of publication. Okangwati, a settlement in the Epupa Constituency of the Kunene Region, is located about 110 kilometres north of Opuwo, the regional capital, on the banks of the Omuhongo River. It currently has a health centre, a police station, and the Okangwati Combined School, but access to basic infrastructure remains limited. While the notice confirms the intention to apply for township establishment, it does not specify whether the application has already been submitted or when a decision can be expected. The approval process typically includes environmental assessments, infrastructure evaluations, and community consultations, but no public engagement sessions have been announced.

#Okangwati #HousingDevelopment #Infrastructure #KuneneRegion #UrbanPlanning

EXCITEMENT BUILDS FOR 23RD EDITION OF U20 TOURNAMENT IN KUNENE REGION EXCITEMENT BUILDS FOR 23RD EDITION OF U20 TOURNAMENT IN KUNENE REGION Sport Sun, 03/30/2025 - 23:27

#U20Tournament #NedbankCup #NamibiaSports #KuneneRegion #YouthFootball