Talismanus: Deputy Minister of Information and Communication Technology and Otjombinde Constituency councillor, Wenzel Kavaka, has called for the reinstatement of a Ministry of Home Affairs civil registration office at Talismanus settlement. Kavaka made the call during the Ministry of Home Affairs' electronic identity (e-ID) awareness campaign held at Talismanus, the final stop of the constituency outreach programme in the Omaheke Region.

According to Namibia Press Agency, Kavaka highlighted the challenges faced by residents of the constituency, particularly those in remote settlements, in accessing civil registration services in Gobabis due to the long traveling distances and poor road infrastructure. "The nearest Home Affairs office is in Gobabis, but we previously had a civil registration office here. That office is no longer here and it needs to be reinstated as a matter of urgency," he said.

The deputy minister noted that some communities, including Talismanus, are situated more than 200 kilometers from Gobabis, making it difficult for residents, particularly members of the San community, to obtain birth certificates, identity documents, and other civil registration services. He expressed his intention to engage the Minister of Home Affairs on the possibility of restoring the office, noting that the constituency's growing population warrants improved access to government services. "When we talk about decentralisation, we mean bringing government services closer to the people," he stated.

While addressing residents during the awareness session, Kavaka encouraged community members to embrace Namibia's transition to the electronic identification system, describing it as an important step towards digital transformation. "Technology is moving very fast and our people should move with technology. We cannot leave them behind because when we move, all of us have to move together," he said.

Kavaka mentioned that the introduction of the e-ID is expected to simplify access to services by enabling electronic verification of identity, reducing the need for certified copies of identity documents during transactions with institutions such as banks and pension funds. The e-ID awareness campaign concluded in the Otjombinde Constituency after officials visited all seven constituencies of the Omaheke Region to educate residents on the new electronic identity system ahead of its planned national rollout next month.