Omaheke Region

{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2025}} {{Infobox settlement  | name = Omaheke Region | native_name = | native_name_lang =  | settlement_type = [[regions of Namibia|Region]] | image_skyline = | image_alt = | image_caption = | image_flag = | flag_alt = | image_seal = | seal_alt = | image_shield = | shield_alt = | nickname = | motto = | mottoeng = | image_map = Omaheke in Namibia.svg | map_alt = | map_caption = Location of the Omaheke Region in [[Namibia]] | pushpin_map = | pushpin_label_position = | pushpin_map_alt = | pushpin_map_caption = | coordinates = | coor_pinpoint = | coordinates_footnotes = | subdivision_type = Country | subdivision_name = [[Namibia]] | established_title = | established_date = | founder = | seat_type = Capital | seat = [[Gobabis]] | government_footnotes = | leader_party = | leader_title = Governor | leader_name = [[Pijoo Nganate]]<ref name=Goodbye>{{cite news | url=https://www.namibiansun.com/news/goodbye2020-04-08/ | title=Goodbye | date=10 April 2020 | page=1 | newspaper=[[Namibian Sun]]}}</ref> | unit_pref = Metric | area_footnotes = <ref>{{cite journal |year=2013 |title=Namibia's Population by Region |journal=Election Watch |publisher=Institute for Public Policy Research |issue=1 |page=3}}</ref> | area_total_km2 = 84,981 | area_land_km2 = | area_water_km2 = | area_water_percent = | area_note = | elevation_footnotes = | elevation_m = | population_footnotes = <ref name=nsa2023>{{cite web | title=4.5 Population by town and census years (2011 and 2023) | url=https://nsa.org.na/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/2023-Population-and-Housing-Census-Main-Report-28-Oct-2024.pdf | work=Namibia 2023 - Population and Housing Census. Main Report | publisher=[[Namibia Statistics Agency]] | access-date=1 November 2024 | page=32}}</ref> | population_total = 102,881 | population_as_of = 2023 | population_density_km2 = auto | population_demonym = | population_note = | timezone1 = [[Central Africa Time|CAT]] | utc_offset1 = +2 | timezone1_DST = | utc_offset1_DST = | postal_code_type = | postal_code = | area_code_type = | area_code = | iso_code = | blank_name_sec1 = [[Human Development Index|HDI]] (2017) | blank_info_sec1 = 0.600<ref name="GlobalDataLab">{{Cite web|url=https://hdi.globaldatalab.org/areadata/shdi/|title=Sub-national HDI - Area Database - Global Data Lab|website=hdi.globaldatalab.org|language=en|access-date=2018-09-13}}</ref><br/>{{color|#fc0|medium}} · [[List of Namibian regions by Human Development Index|10th]] | website =  | footnotes = }}

'''Omaheke''' (the [[Otjiherero]] word for [[sandveld]]) is one of the fourteen [[regions of Namibia]], the least populous region. Its capital is [[Gobabis]]. It lies in eastern Namibia on the border with [[Botswana]] and is the western extension of the [[Kalahari Desert]]. The self-governed villages of [[Otjinene]], [[Leonardville, Namibia|Leonardville]], and [[Witvlei]] are situated in the region. {{As of|2020}}, Omaheke had 48,594 registered voters.<ref name=election2020>{{Cite web | title=Regional Council 2020 Election Results | publisher=[[Electoral Commission of Namibia]] | date=18 January 2021 | series=''Interactive map'' | url=http://elections.na | accessdate=19 July 2021}}</ref>

==Geography== In the east, Omaheke borders are three [[districts of Botswana]]: *[[North-West District (Botswana)|North-West]] - northern *[[Ghanzi District|Ghanzi]] - eastern *[[Kgalagadi District|Kgalagadi]] - southern Domestically, it borders the following regions: *[[Hardap Region|Hardap]] - south *[[Khomas Region|Khomas]] - west *[[Otjozondjupa]] - north and west

Omaheke is traversed by the northwesterly line of equal latitude and longitude.<ref>A point on the line lies within the region. {{coord|20|55|S|20|55|E|}}</ref>

A large part of this region is known as the ''Sandveld''. The northeastern part of the region is still very much wilderness.{{citation needed|date=September 2017}} According to the 2012 Namibia Labour Force Survey, unemployment in the Omaheke Region is 34.1%.<ref>{{cite news |url = http://www.namibian.com.na/news/full-story/archive/2013/april/article/unemployment-rate-still-alarmingly-high/ |title = Unemployment rate still alarmingly high |last = Duddy |first = Jo Maré |date = 11 April 2013 |newspaper = [[The Namibian]] |url-status = dead |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20130414025748/http://www.namibian.com.na/news/full-story/archive/2013/april/article/unemployment-rate-still-alarmingly-high |archive-date = 14 April 2013 }}</ref>

Anthropologically, almost the entire [[Ovambanderu]] and Gobabis-Juǀwa ethnic groups reside in the region. Furthermore, it is a rich cultural area for Herero, Damara-Nama, Tswana, Afrikaners, and Germans.{{citation needed|date=September 2017}} According to the 2011 census, 43% of the population speaks [[Otjiherero]], 30% speak Nama/Damara, and 8% speak [[Afrikaans]] at home.<ref name =Census2011>{{cite web |url=https://cms2.my.na/assets/documents/p19dptss1q1dh4jn11mk04hj4c5b.pdf |title=Omaheke 2011 Census Regional Profile |access-date=10 April 2020 |website=Statistics Namibia |df=dmy }}{{Dead link|date=August 2025 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>

==Economy and infrastructure== [[File:Gobabis Cattle County 2017.jpg|thumb|right|Typical cattle farm near Gobabis]] Gobabis is the centre of this area and also its main business area, as it is linked with the capital of Namibia, [[Windhoek]], by rail and the tarred [[B6 road (Namibia)|B6]] national road. This infrastructure serves as the main supply line for the region.

All the other population centres in the region are linked with Gobabis by road. Many other services are rendered from Gobabis to the region, such as the Police Divisional Headquarters, which is situated in Gobabis. Clinics in the region are served by medical practitioners based in Gobabis, and there are two hospitals and a clinic serving the region.

The agricultural patterns of this region are, to a large extent, homogeneous. Most of the 900 commercial and 3,500 communal farmers in this area are cattle breeders. A regional office of the Ministry of Agriculture, serving the whole region, is based in Gobabis.

Hunting, including trophy hunting, is one of the major sources of income for the region. This takes place mainly in the winter months, from June to August. During these months, tourists from the northern hemisphere can be seen in the area, enjoying the mild and dry winter climate and collecting trophies.

In 2013, Omaheke had 42 government schools with a total of 18,365 pupils.<ref>{{cite news | title=School counsellors overstretched | last1=Miyanicwe | first1=Clemans | last2=Kahiurika | first2=Ndanki | date=27 November 2013 | newspaper=[[The Namibian]] | page=1 | url=https://www.namibian.com.na/117055/archive-read/School-counsellors-overstretched-CLEMANS | archive-date=19 July 2021 | access-date=19 July 2021 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210719170142/https://www.namibian.com.na/117055/archive-read/School-counsellors-overstretched-CLEMANS | url-status=dead }}</ref>

==Politics== [[File:Wahlkreise in Omaheke (2014).svg|thumb|360px|right|Omaheke constituencies (2014)]]

Upon [[independence of Namibia|the independence of Namibia]], the eastern part of [[Hereroland]] was absorbed into the Omaheke Region.<ref>[http://www.namibweb.com/regions.htm Region of Namibia] Namib Web</ref> The region comprises seven [[Constituencies of Namibia|constituencies]]:<ref>[http://www.ecn.gov.na/omahekeregionconstituencies.htm Omaheke Region Constituencies] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081231123549/http://www.ecn.gov.na/omahekeregionconstituencies.htm |date=31 December 2008}} Electoral Commission of Namibia</ref> {{div col|colwidth=20em}} * [[Aminuis Constituency|Aminuis]] * [[Epukiro Constituency|Epukiro]] * [[Gobabis Constituency|Gobabis]] * [[Kalahari Constituency|Kalahari]] * [[Okorukambe Constituency|Okorukambe]] (formerly ''Steinhausen'') * [[Otjinene Constituency|Otjinene]] * [[Otjombinde Constituency|Otjombinde]] {{div col end}} As in all other regions, [[SWAPO]] was by far the strongest political party since [[Independence of Namibia|Namibian independence]]. However, Omaheke is a region where there has always been considerable support for opposition parties.

===Presidential elections=== In the [[Namibian presidential election, 2004|2004 presidential election]], the Omaheke Region supported SWAPO{{'s}} [[Hifikepunye Pohamba]] with 13,005 votes (46%), but the [[Ohangwena Region]] native did not win a majority of the votes in the region. [[National Unity Democratic Organisation]] (NUDO)'s [[Kuaima Riruako]], paramount chief of the Herero people, received over 7,000 votes (25%), and the [[Democratic Turnhalle Alliance]] (DTA)'s [[Katuutire Kaura]] received over 3,700 votes (13%). Only in the much more populated [[Khomas Region]] and neighboring [[Otjozondjupa Region]] did Riruako gain more votes, and in no other region did NUDO's candidate gain a higher percentage of the votes.<ref>[http://www.electionwatch.org.na/results?q=fullpresresults2004&region=Omaheke Election Results: Omaheke Region] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110722234421/http://www.electionwatch.org.na/results?q=fullpresresults2004&region=Omaheke |date=22 July 2011 }} Election Watch Namibia</ref>

===Regional elections=== In the [[2004 Namibian local and regional elections|2004 regional election]] for the [[National Assembly of Namibia]], SWAPO won four of the seven constituencies. Aminuis and Otjinene were won by candidates of NUDO, and in Otjombinde, the [[SWANU|South West Africa National Union]] (SWANU) candidate became a councillor.<ref>{{Cite news | title=Electoral Act, 1992: Notification of Result of General Election for Regional Councils | newspaper=Government Gazette of the Republic of Namibia | issue=3366 | page=17 | publisher=[[Government of Namibia]] | date=3 January 2005 | url=http://www.lac.org.na/laws/2005/3366.pdf}}</ref>

In the [[Namibian local and regional elections, 2015|2015 regional elections]], SWAPO obtained 54% of the total votes ([[2010 Namibian local and regional elections|2010]]: 47%) and won four of the seven constituencies. NUDO obtained 23% of the total votes ([[2010 Namibian local and regional elections|2010]]: 26%)<ref name=election2020/> and won Aminuis and Otjinene, while Otjombinde was won by an [[independent candidate]].<ref>{{Cite web | title=Regional Council Election Results 2015 | publisher=[[Electoral Commission of Namibia]] | date=3 December 2015 | pages=15–16 | url=http://www.ecn.na/documents/27857/223442/Regional+Counils+Election+Results_Duly+elected+candidates+2015.pdf/32493774-80b3-4be3-9ca1-1f6ce187673a?version=1.0 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151208163948/http://www.ecn.na/documents/27857/223442/Regional+Counils+Election+Results_Duly+elected+candidates+2015.pdf/32493774-80b3-4be3-9ca1-1f6ce187673a?version=1.0 | url-status=dead | archive-date=8 December 2015 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news | title=Mixed results for opposition in regional polls | last=Menges | first=Werner | newspaper=[[The Namibian]] | date=29 November 2015 | url=http://www.namibian.com.na/index.php?page=archive-read&id=144849}}</ref> Although SWAPO's support dropped to 44% of the total votes in the [[2020 Namibian local and regional elections|2020 regional election]], it won five of the seven constituencies, while NUDO (23% total) kept its strongholds, Otjinene and Aminuis.<ref name=GG7654>{{Cite news | title=Publication of results and particulars in respect of general elections for Regional Councils: Electoral Act, 2014 | newspaper=Government Gazette of the Republic of Namibia | issue=7654 | pages=14–16 | publisher=[[Government of Namibia]] | date=8 October 2021 | url=http://www.lac.org.na/laws/2021/7654.pdf | format=pdf}}</ref>

===Governors=== * [[Laura McLeod-Katjirua]] ([[SWAPO]], 2001–2012)<ref>[http://www.nid.org.na/view_book_entry.php?book_id=108 Laura McLeod] Namibia Institute for Democracy {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120229202537/http://www.nid.org.na/view_book_entry.php?book_id=108 |date=February 29, 2012 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news | title=Swapo members ordered to toe line - or face the music | last=Maletsky | first=Christof | date=20 February 2006 | newspaper=[[The Namibian]] | quote=He [Festus Ueitele] was supported by Omaheke Governor Laura McLeod. "You must comply". | url= https://www.namibian.com.na/21987/archive-read/Swapo-members-ordered-to-toe-line---or-face-the}}</ref> * [[Rapama Kamehozu]] (2012–2013)<ref name=newera>{{cite news|first=Mathias |last=Haufiku |title=Namibia: Governor Kamehozu Loses Battle Against Cancer |url=http://allafrica.com/stories/201303251379.html |url-access=subscription |newspaper=[[New Era (Namibia)|New Era]] |publisher=[[AllAfrica.com]] |date=2013-03-25 |access-date=2013-03-25}}</ref> *[[Festus Ueitele]] (2013–2020)<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.namibian.com.na/news/full-story/archive/2013/april/article/pohamba-continues-to-pave-way-for-geingob/ |title=Pohamba continues to pave way for Geingob |last=Immanuel |first=Shinovene |date=22 April 2013 |work=[[The Namibian]]}}</ref><ref name=Governor>{{Cite news | title=President announces governors | newspaper=[[The Namibian]] | date=10 April 2015 | url=https://www.namibian.com.na/president-announces-governors/ | access-date=14 April 2015 | archive-url=https://archive.today/20150414075438/http://www.namibian.com.na/indexx.php?id=25471 | archive-date=14 April 2015 | url-status=live}}</ref> *[[Pijoo Nganate]] (2020–present)<ref name=Goodbye/>

==Demographics== As of 2023, there are 102,881 inhabitants of Omaheke, with an annual growth rate of 3.1%. Males outnumber females, with 112 men for every 100 women. The fertility rate is 5.0. The population is roughly split between urban and rural; 43.8% live in urban communities, while 56.2% live in rural communities. On average, there are 1.2 people per km<sup>2</sup>. The average household size is 3.3 persons. 29.2% of the adult population is married. 20.1% have access to the internet, and 45.6% own a cellphone. The [[literacy rate]] is 76%. Roughly a fifth (21.6%) have never attended school. 89.8% of inhabitants have access to clean drinking water, but only 42.1% have access to toilet facilities and only 35.4% have electricity. Approximately half (50.4%) make a living through wages, 13.9% through old-age pensions, 9.3% through farming, and 5.0% through non-farming business.<ref name="Census">{{Cite web|title=2023 Population and Housing Census Main Report|url=https://census.nsanamibia.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/2023-Population-and-Housing-Census-Main-Report-28-Oct-2024.pdf|website=Namibia Statistics Agency|access-date={{today}}|year=2023|archive-date=2024-11-10|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241110234059/https://census.nsanamibia.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/2023-Population-and-Housing-Census-Main-Report-28-Oct-2024.pdf|url-status=dead}}</ref>

==External links== {{Commons|Omaheke}} {{wikivoyage|Omaheke}}

==References== {{reflist}}

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[[Category:Omaheke Region| ]] [[Category:Regions of Namibia]] [[Category:States and territories established in 1992]] [[Category:1992 establishments in Namibia]]