Omusati Region

Omusati Region
—  Region  —
Location of the Omusati Region in Namibia
Country	Namibia
Capital	Uutapi
Government
- Governor
Area
- Total	13,638 km2 (5,265.7 sq mi)
Population (2001)
- Total	228,364
- Density	16.7/km2 (43.4/sq mi)
Time zone	South African Standard Time: UTC+1

Omusati region is one of the thirteen regions of Namibia. Uutapi at Ombalantu forms a natural centre for this region. Mopani tree is the dominant species; the Makalani palms decrease rapidly westwards from the border with Oshana region. The change in vegetation type reflects ecological conditions forming a natural boundary between the two regions.

The northern part of this region is far more densely populated than the south, where the grazing is of poor quality and the water generally saline. This is predominantly an agricultural region in which mahangu is cultivated successfully. With intensive fertilisation and tilling of the soil, self-sufficiency should be attainable. A canal carries water from the Ruacana river to Oshakati, passing through Uutapi. Water from this canal has been used to irrigate a large, government-run farm at Etunda where crops from maize to watermelon to bananas are grown. Non-agricultural employment opportunities will need to be created, however. The electrical network is expanding; while the rural areas may still lack electricity, towns including Uutapi, Ruacana, Tsandi, Oshikuku, and Okahao all have electricity.

The region is traversed by a high standard trunk road which provides a direct link to adjacent regions and the rest of the country. Although passenger and freight transport along this route is easy, the rest of this road network, in common with all the communal areas of northern Namibia, is of poor quality. Okahao and Uutapi both have small hospitals, and a network of clinics provides basic services. The provision of schools is also inadequate and improvement in the position is expected.

In the north, Omusati borders the Cunene Province of Angola. Domestically, it borders the following regions:

• Ohangwena - northeast
• Oshana - east
• Kunene - south and west

Politics

The region comprises eleven constituencies: Onesi, Tsandi, Outapi, Okalongo, Oshikuku, Elim, Okahao, Anamulenge, Otamanzi, and Ruacana.

Electorally, Omusati region is dominated by the South West Africa People's Organization (SWAPO). In the 2004 parliamentary election, Omusati voters selected SWAPO with 97.68% of their votes.^[1]

References

1. ^ Election Update 2004 Namibia