Oshana Region

Landscape of Ovamboland in Oshana

Oshana is one of the fourteen regions of Namibia. Oshana is an appropriate name for this region as it describes the most prominent landscape feature in the area, namely the seasonally flooded shallow depressions that underpin the local agro-ecological system. Although communications are difficult during the rainy season, the fish that breed in the oshanas provide an important source of dietary protein.

The Oshakati-Ongwediva-Ondangwa complex has experienced dramatic urban growth in recent years and forms a major focus of commercial and industrial potential. Taken together, it forms the second largest population concentration in Namibia after Windoek, but it still lacks the basic infrastructure and most of the services and facilities normally found in urban areas of this size. Most of the business in northern Namibia is located here, providing a significant number of jobs. However, urbanization continues and unemployment has risen since the withdrawal of the South African Security Forces. The creation of non-agricultural job opportunities will therefore need urgent attention.

Omahangu or pearl millet is the main staple food grown in Oshana, which is suitable for agriculture. However, the soil is depleted in most of the central area and requires substantial fertilization in order to maintain reasonable productivity. Cattle are also suitable here and the herds are extensive. The southern part of Oshana is an extensive savannah plain that stretches to the Etosha Pan, but the generally high salinity of soils and water make it unsuitable for grazing or cultivation.

The area is much more densely populated in the north, which is linked to Tsumeb and other regions by a high-quality trunk road; which also facilitates cargo transportation. However, a significant improvement of the rest of the road network and other forms of telecommunications is required. Oshakati and Ondangwa have runways for medium-sized airplanes in daylight only and for both passenger and cargo transport. The establishment of a control tower may contribute to all-weather improvement. Reasonably good hospitals are located in Oshakati and Onjiipa, which maintains several clinics. Although both primary and secondary schools are spread across the region, there are still too few.

Oshana is one of only three regions without a coast or border with other countries. It borders the following regions:

• Ohangwena - North
• Oshikoto - this
• Kunene - south
• Omusati - West

Constituencies

The region comprises eleven electoral districts:

• Okaku
• Okatana
• Okatjali
• Ompundja
• Ondangwa
• Ondangwa Urbano
• Ongwediva
• East Oshakati
• Oshakati West
• Uukwiyu
• Uuvudhiya