Erongo: As Erongo Governor Nathalia |Goagoses prepares to deliver her State of the Region Address on Wednesday, residents across the Daures Constituency are hopeful that the issues shaping their daily lives will feature prominently in her vision for the region's future.
According to Namibia Press Agency, from the dusty streets of Okombahe and Omatjete to the fast-growing mining settlement of Uis, community leaders, traditional authorities, and residents say the foundations for development exist. What remains is translating potential into tangible improvements in people's lives. For many residents, the conversation begins with jobs.
In Okombahe, a settlement north of Karibib with a population of over 4,000 people, community activist Yvonne !Nowases says unemployment remains the settlement's most pressing challenge. The quiet atmosphere often visible in the village during the day tells its own story. Behind closed doors are young people struggling to find opportunities in a community where formal employment remains scarce. 'The youth need something that gives them purpose every morning. Without opportunities, many end up spending their days at bars or becoming involved in alcohol abuse,' she says.
Like many residents, !Nowases believes development must go beyond promises and focus on practical interventions that can create livelihoods. Among her proposals is the transformation of a decades-old government building into a youth centre where vocational training, agricultural projects, and community programmes could be housed. She believes agriculture could become a powerful tool for youth empowerment if adequate water infrastructure and support systems are put in place.
The anticipated reopening of the nearby Kokoseb Gold Mine has also raised hopes among residents. Community members are calling on government and mining stakeholders to ensure that local people benefit directly from employment opportunities once operations commence. 'There are many people here with practical skills. They can weld, build, and do plumbing work. They may not have certificates, but they have experience and deserve an opportunity,' !Nowases says.
The call for economic inclusion also echoes strongly in Uis, where mining activity is once again reshaping the local economy. Following the recent re-proclamation of Uis as a settlement, local leaders see an opportunity to position the town as one of Namibia's emerging rural growth centres. Uis settlement chairperson Anmire Dausas says the settlement's future lies in leveraging its rich mineral resources, tourism potential, and entrepreneurial spirit.
As demand for housing and serviced land continues to increase, settlement authorities are working to expand residential areas while advocating for upgrades to roads, sanitation infrastructure, and public services. One area receiving particular attention is the revitalisation of small-scale mining. Dausas says efforts are underway to strengthen local mining organisations and create opportunities for youth and women to participate directly in the sector. 'Mining should not only benefit large companies. It should create opportunities for local people to build sustainable livelihoods and businesses,' she says.
Yet while mining presents opportunities, it also places pressure on already stretched infrastructure. Water security remains one of the most significant concerns in Uis, where growing mining operations, tourism activity, and population growth continue to increase demand. Across Erongo, water remains both a challenge and a measure of progress.
In Omatjete, however, residents are beginning to see the benefits of sustained investment. Senior councillor of the Zeraeua Traditional Authority, Fabianus Uaseuapuani, says the commissioning of the Omatjete pipeline earlier this year has transformed access to water in the area. For years, residents battled unreliable supplies that constrained both household needs and economic activities. Today, water is flowing more consistently, providing a foundation for future development. 'The water challenge that affected us for many years has largely been resolved. Water is life, and without it, there can be no development. The improved supply has also opened opportunities for household gardens and small-scale agricultural projects, aligning with national efforts to strengthen food security,' Uaseuapuani said.
While communities acknowledge progress, significant challenges remain. In Okombahe, residents continue to express frustration about an unfinished police station project that has stood idle for nearly a decade. Healthcare infrastructure is another recurring concern. Residents say overcrowding at clinics, limited waiting facilities, and inadequate mortuary infrastructure continue to affect service delivery.
Housing shortages have become increasingly severe across several settlements, with teachers, police officers, and other public servants often struggling to secure accommodation. The situation has made it difficult to attract and retain skilled professionals in rural communities. Road infrastructure also remains a major obstacle to development. Residents travelling between Okombahe and Usakos describe the route as one of the worst in the region, often forcing motorists to take longer alternative routes to avoid severely damaged sections.
For many communities, development is no longer measured solely by large infrastructure projects. Local residents increasingly want investments that directly improve livelihoods, strengthen public services, and create opportunities for young people. Traditional leaders say this requires stronger collaboration between government institutions, local authorities, communities, and the private sector. Uaseuapuani believes communities must also play their part. 'Development is not only about what government does. Communities must organise themselves, identify opportunities, and participate in creating solutions,' he expressed.
The message is mutual across the constituency. Whether in the growing settlement of Uis, the recovering community of Omatjete, or the opportunity-seeking village of Okombahe, residents share a common aspiration; inclusive development that reaches ordinary people.