Omusati Region

Omusati is one of the fourteen regions of Namibia. Its name comes from the Oshindonga word for Mopane, the main type of tree in the area. The capital city is Outapi. Other important towns in Omusati include Okahao, Oshikuku, Ruacana, and the self-governed village of Tsandi. As of 2020, Omusati had over 148,000 registered voters.

The region is known for its natural beauty and important historical sites. It is home to the Ruacana Falls, which are among the largest waterfalls in Africa. Omusati also contains the Omugulugwombashe heritage site. This is where the Namibian struggle for independence began in 1966, making it a place of great historical importance.

Geography

Omusati is a region in Namibia that shares a border with the Cunene Province of Angola to the north. Inside Namibia, it borders Ohangwena to the northeast, Oshana to the east, and Kunene to the south and west. The region is named after the Mopane tree, which grows widely there. Another special plant, the Makalani palms, becomes less common as you move west toward the Oshana region, creating a natural boundary.

One of the most notable features in Omusati is Ruacana Falls, a large waterfall that stands 120 meters high and stretches 700 meters wide when it has a lot of water. It is one of the biggest waterfalls in Africa.

The region also includes several villages such as Okaleke, Ohembe, Olupandu, Onelombo, Omutaku Ngwakayupa, Onekukumo, Onawa, Ouholondema, Onghili, and Onembamba.

Economy and infrastructure

The northern part of Omusati is more crowded than the south, where the land is not as good for growing things and the water is salty. This area is mainly used for farming, and a crop called mahangu, also known as pearl millet, grows well here. A canal brings water from the Ruacana River to Oshakati, going through Outapi. This water helps a big government farm at Etunda, where many different fruits and vegetables are grown.

The region has a good main road that connects it to nearby areas and the rest of the country. While travel on this road is easy, many other roads in the area are not in good condition. Okahao and Outapi have small hospitals, and clinics help people with basic health needs. Only a small part of homes in Omusati have clean toilets. Many people in the area are looking for work, and there are many schools with lots of students.

Politics

The Omusati region has twelve areas called constituencies, including Anamulenge, Elim, Etayi, Ogongo, Okahao, Okalongo, Onesi, Oshikuku, Otamanzi, Outapi, Ruacana, and Tsandi.

The people of Omusati usually vote for the same group called SWAPO. In the 2004 parliamentary election, they chose SWAPO with almost all of their votes, and they did the same in the 2014 election. Even in local votes, SWAPO won by large amounts each time.

Demographics

Omusati is home to 316,671 people. In this area, there are more women than men, with only 87 males for every 100 females. Most people live in the countryside, with just 11.1% in towns. The area has 11.9 people living in each square kilometer. About 5.7% of the residents are not from Namibia. There are 72,437 homes, with about 4 people living in each one.

Many people in Omusati are young. About 14.7% are under five years old, 27.3% are between five and fourteen, and 29.2% are between fifteen and thirty-four. Most people get married when they are older, with very few young people married before turning eighteen.

In terms of education, 84.1% of people can read and write. Many children go to early childhood programs before starting school. Most people finish primary school, while fewer continue to secondary or tertiary education. About 27% of people earn money from jobs, while others rely on pensions, farming, or small businesses. Many people do not have jobs, with some being students, homemakers, or retired.

Over the years, access to basic services has improved. Today, 89.9% of people have clean drinking water, and 42.2% have toilets. Electricity for lighting is available to 20.2% of the population. The internet is accessible to 15.3%, and about half of people own a cellphone.