Omusati Region

{{short description|Namibian first-level administrative division}} {{Use dmy dates|date=November 2025}} {{Infobox settlement | name = Omusati 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 = Omusati in Namibia.svg | map_alt = | map_caption = Location of the Omusati 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 = [[Outapi]] | government_footnotes = | leader_party = | leader_title = Governor | leader_name = [[Immanuel Shikongo]]<ref name=oversight/> | 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 = 26,551 | area_land_km2 = | area_water_km2 = | area_water_percent = | area_note = | elevation_footnotes = | elevation_m = | population_footnotes = <ref name =Census2011>{{cite web |url=https://cms2.my.na/assets/documents/p19dptss1qjep16pd1d0utqf1uq84.pdf |title=Omusati 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><ref>{{cite web|url=https://nsa.nsa.org.na/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Preliminary-Report-doc-fn.pdf|title=2023 Population & Housing Census Preliminary Report|website=Statistics Namibia|df=dmy|access-date=2024-03-16|archive-date=2024-03-24|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240324152514/https://nsa.nsa.org.na/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Preliminary-Report-doc-fn.pdf|url-status=dead}}</ref> | population_total = 316,671 | population_as_of = 2023 census | 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 = 0.617<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|9th]] | website = {{URL|omusatirc.gov.na}} | footnotes = }}

'''Omusati''' (the [[Oshindonga]] word for [[Mopane]], the dominant tree in the area) is one of the fourteen [[regions of Namibia]]; its capital is [[Outapi]]. The towns of [[Okahao]], [[Oshikuku]], and [[Ruacana]], as well as the self-governed village [[Tsandi|of Tsandi]], are situated in this region. {{As of|2020}}, Omusati had 148,834 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=23 October 2021}}</ref>

The region is home to the [[Ruacana Falls]], among the largest waterfalls in Africa, and the [[Omugulugwombashe]] heritage site, where the [[Independence of Namibia|Namibian struggle for independence]] started in 1966.

==Geography== In the north, Omusati borders the [[Cunene (province)|Cunene]] Province of [[Angola]]. Domestically, it borders the following regions: *[[Ohangwena Region|Ohangwena]] - northeast *[[Oshana]] - east *[[Kunene Region|Kunene]] - south and west

The region got its name from the [[Mopane]] tree (''omusati'': {{langx|ng|Mopane}}), which is the dominant species in the region. The [[Hyphaene petersiana|Makalani palm]]s decrease rapidly westwards from the border with [[Oshana|the Oshana]] region. The change in vegetation type reflects ecological conditions, forming a natural boundary between the two regions.

The region is home to the [[Ruacana Falls]]. The waterfall is 120 meters (390 ft) high and 700 meters (2,300 ft) wide in full flood and is among the largest waterfalls in Africa, both by volume and width.

===Villages=== {{div col|colwidth=20em}} * Okaleke * Ohembe * [[Olupandu]] * [[Onelombo]] * Omutaku Ngwakayupa * Onekukumo * Onawa * Ouholondema * Onghili * Onembamba {{div col end}}

==Economy and infrastructure== The northern part of Omusati is far more densely populated than the south, where the grazing is of poor quality and the water is generally [[Salinity|saline]]. This is primarily an agricultural region where mahangu, also known as pearl millet, is successfully grown.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Regions {{!}} Namibia |url=https://www.namibweb.com/regions.htm |access-date=2022-07-07 |website=www.namibweb.com}}</ref> A [[canal]] carries water from the [[Ruacana]] River to [[Oshakati]], passing through [[Outapi]]. 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. The electrical network covers towns including Outapi, Ruacana, [[Tsandi]], [[Oshikuku]], and [[Okahao]].

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 Outapi both have small hospitals, and a network of clinics provides basic services.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Map - Omusati Region(Omusati) - MAP[N]ALL.COM |url=http://174.127.109.64/en/Map-Omusati-Region_1105368.html |access-date=2022-07-07 |website=174.127.109.64}}</ref>

Only 17% of households in Omusati have access to [[Water supply and sanitation in Namibia|improved sanitation (toilet facilities)]].<ref name="N2014">{{cite news |url=http://www.namibian.com.na/indexx.php?id=11284&page_type=story_detail&category_id=1 |title=More than 1 million Namibians defecate in open |last=Tjihenuna |first=Theresia |date=2 April 2014 |work=[[The Namibian]] |access-date=4 April 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140407103151/http://www.namibian.com.na/indexx.php?id=11284&page_type=story_detail&category_id=1 |archive-date=7 April 2014 |url-status=dead }}</ref> According to the 2012 Namibia Labour Force Survey, unemployment in the Region is 28.9%.<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> Omusati has 274 schools with a total of 86,365 pupils.<ref>{{cite news |title=School counsellors overstretched |last1=Miyanicwe |first1=Clemans |last2=Kahiurika |first2=Ndanki |date=27 November 2013 |work=[[The Namibian]] |page=1}}</ref>

==Politics== The region comprises twelve constituencies: [[File:Wahlkreise in Omusati (2014).svg|thumb|360px|right|Omusati constituencies (2014)]]

{{div col|colwidth=20em}} * [[Anamulenge Constituency|Anamulenge]] * [[Elim Constituency|Elim]] * [[Etayi Constituency|Etayi]] * [[Ogongo Constituency|Ogongo]] * [[Okahao Constituency|Okahao]] * [[Okalongo Constituency|Okalongo]] * [[Onesi Constituency|Onesi]] * [[Oshikuku Constituency|Oshikuku]] * [[Otamanzi Constituency|Otamanzi]] * [[Outapi Constituency|Outapi]] * [[Ruacana Constituency|Ruacana]] * [[Tsandi Constituency|Tsandi]] {{div col end}}

Electorally, the Omusati region is consistently dominated by the [[South West Africa People's Organization]] (SWAPO). For instance, Omusati voters selected SWAPO with 97.68% of their votes in the [[Namibian general election, 2004|2004 parliamentary election]],<ref>[http://www.eisa.org.za/PDF/eu200403nam.pdf Election Update 2004] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081203142841/http://www.eisa.org.za/PDF/eu200403nam.pdf |date=2008-12-03 }} Namibia</ref> and again with 98% in the [[Namibian general election, 2014|2014 election]].

===Regional elections=== In the [[2004 Namibian local and regional elections|2004 regional election]] for the [[National Assembly of Namibia]], SWAPO won in all constituencies by a landslide. In Anamulenge and Otamanzi, no opposition party even nominated a candidate.<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=6 | publisher=[[Government of Namibia]] | date=3 January 2005 | url=http://www.lac.org.na/laws/2005/3366.pdf }}</ref>

The [[Namibian local and regional elections, 2015|2015 local and regional elections]] saw SWAPO obtain 99.4% of the total votes ([[2010 Namibian local and regional elections|2010]]: 99.0)<ref name=election2020/> and win uncontested eight of the twelve Omusati constituencies, and two of the five towns.<ref>{{Cite news | title=Opposition parties are mosquitoes, says Kawana | newspaper=[[The Namibian]] | date=26 October 2015 | url=http://www.namibian.com.na/index.php?page=read&id=33243}}</ref> The remaining four constituencies SWAPO won by a landslide, with results ranging from 89% (Ruacana) to 98% (Ogongo).<ref>{{Cite web | title=Regional Council Election Results 2015 | publisher=[[Electoral Commission of Namibia]] | date=3 December 2015 | page=17 | 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 | url-status=dead | 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 | archive-date=8 December 2015 }}</ref> Although SWAPO's support dropped to 86.5% of the total votes in the [[2020 Namibian local and regional elections|2020 regional election]], it again won all constituencies by a large margin.<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=16–17 | publisher=[[Government of Namibia]] | date=8 October 2021 | url=http://www.lac.org.na/laws/2021/7654.pdf | format=pdf}}</ref>

===Governors=== {{incomplete list|date=July 2025}} * [[Erginus Endjala]] (2015–2025)<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> * [[Immanuel Shikongo]] (July 2025–)<ref name=oversight>{{Cite web | date=1 July 2025 |title=Seven new regional governors appointed |url=https://thebrief.com.na/2025/07/seven-new-regional-governors-appointed-as-president-tightens-oversight/ | website=thebrief.com.na |language=en-ZA}}</ref>

==Demographics== As of 2023, Omusati is home to 316,671 inhabitants. In the general population, women outnumber men, with only 87 males per 100 females. The population is majority rural, with only 11.1% living in urban settlements. The population density is 11.9 people per km<sup>2</sup>. 5.7% of residents are not Namibian citizens. There are 72,437 private households, averaging 4.2 members. The population is growing at an annual rate of 2.2%, with a fertility rate of 4.3 children per woman. 14.7% is under 5, 27.3% 5-14, 29.2% 15-34, 18.4% 35-59, and 10.4% over 60.<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|publisher=Namibia Statistics Agency|year=2023|access-date={{today}}|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> ===Marriage status=== 26% of the adult population is married, either with a certificate (16%), traditionally (4.1%), in a consensual union (1.3%), divorced (0.1%), or widowed (4.2%). The population generally marries older, with only 0.4% of the current youth population married before age 18.<ref name="Census"/> ===Education and employment=== The literacy rate has decreased from 2011 to 84.1%. 22.0% percent of pre-primary youth attend Early Childhood Development (ECD) programs. The maximum level of educational attainment is mostly primary (45.8%), with only 19.6% pursuing secondary education and 8% pursuing tertiary education. 12.3% have no educational attainment. 27.0% of inhabitants earn a wage or salary as their primary source of income, 26.3% receive an old-age pension, 19.5% rely on farming, and 7.6% are involved in non-farming business. In 2011, the unemployment rate was 35%, and 59% of residents were not in the labor force due to being a student (31%), a homemaker (49%), or retired (19%).<ref name="Census"/> ===Technology access=== From 2011 to 2023, technology access largely improved. As of 2023, 89.9% of the population has access to safe drinking water, compared to 51.6% in 2011. 42.2% have access to toilet facilities, a 21.1% increase. The proportion of the population that has access to electricity for lighting has risen from 9% to 20.2% since 2011. Access to the internet has risen to 15.3%, while cellphone ownership is relatively similar at 46.4% (from 44.3% in 2011).<ref name="Census"/>

==External links== * [https://omusatirc.gov.na Official website] Omusati Regional Council {{Wikivoyage|Four-O region}}

==References== {{reflist}}

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