# Omusati Region > Mediated Wiki article. Canonical URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Omusati_Region > Markdown URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Omusati_Region.md > Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Omusati_Region > Source revision: 1323712783 > License: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/) Namibian first-level administrative division Region in Namibia Omusati Region Region Location of the Omusati Region in Namibia Country Namibia Capital Outapi Government • Governor Immanuel Shikongo[1] Area [2] • Total 26,551 km2 (10,251 sq mi) Population (2023 census)[3][4] • Total 316,671 • Density 11.927/km2 (30.891/sq mi) Time zone UTC+2 (CAT) HDI (2017) 0.617[5] medium · 9th Website omusatirc.gov.na **Omusati** (the [Oshindonga](/source/Oshindonga) word for [Mopane](/source/Mopane), the dominant tree in the area) is one of the fourteen [regions of Namibia](/source/Regions_of_Namibia); its capital is [Outapi](/source/Outapi). The towns of [Okahao](/source/Okahao), [Oshikuku](/source/Oshikuku), and [Ruacana](/source/Ruacana), as well as the self-governed village [of Tsandi](/source/Tsandi), are situated in this region. As of 2020[\[update\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Omusati_Region&action=edit), Omusati had 148,834 registered voters.[6] The region is home to the [Ruacana Falls](/source/Ruacana_Falls), among the largest waterfalls in Africa, and the [Omugulugwombashe](/source/Omugulugwombashe) heritage site, where the [Namibian struggle for independence](/source/Independence_of_Namibia) started in 1966. ## Geography In the north, Omusati borders the [Cunene](/source/Cunene_(province)) Province of [Angola](/source/Angola). Domestically, it borders the following regions: - [Ohangwena](/source/Ohangwena_Region) - northeast - [Oshana](/source/Oshana) - east - [Kunene](/source/Kunene_Region) - south and west The region got its name from the [Mopane](/source/Mopane) tree (*omusati*: [Ndonga](/source/Ndonga_language): *Mopane*), which is the dominant species in the region. The [Makalani palms](/source/Hyphaene_petersiana) decrease rapidly westwards from the border with [the Oshana](/source/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](/source/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 - Okaleke - Ohembe - [Olupandu](/source/Olupandu) - [Onelombo](/source/Onelombo) - Omutaku Ngwakayupa - Onekukumo - Onawa - Ouholondema - Onghili - Onembamba ## 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 [saline](/source/Salinity). This is primarily an agricultural region where mahangu, also known as pearl millet, is successfully grown.[7] A [canal](/source/Canal) carries water from the [Ruacana](/source/Ruacana) River to [Oshakati](/source/Oshakati), passing through [Outapi](/source/Outapi). Water from this canal has been used to irrigate a large, government-run farm at [Etunda](/source/Etunda), where crops from maize to watermelon to bananas are grown. The electrical network covers towns including Outapi, Ruacana, [Tsandi](/source/Tsandi), [Oshikuku](/source/Oshikuku), and [Okahao](/source/Okahao). The region is traversed by a high-standard [trunk road](/source/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.[8] Only 17% of households in Omusati have access to [improved sanitation (toilet facilities)](/source/Water_supply_and_sanitation_in_Namibia).[9] According to the 2012 Namibia Labour Force Survey, unemployment in the Region is 28.9%.[10] Omusati has 274 schools with a total of 86,365 pupils.[11] ## Politics The region comprises twelve constituencies: Omusati constituencies (2014) - [Anamulenge](/source/Anamulenge_Constituency) - [Elim](/source/Elim_Constituency) - [Etayi](/source/Etayi_Constituency) - [Ogongo](/source/Ogongo_Constituency) - [Okahao](/source/Okahao_Constituency) - [Okalongo](/source/Okalongo_Constituency) - [Onesi](/source/Onesi_Constituency) - [Oshikuku](/source/Oshikuku_Constituency) - [Otamanzi](/source/Otamanzi_Constituency) - [Outapi](/source/Outapi_Constituency) - [Ruacana](/source/Ruacana_Constituency) - [Tsandi](/source/Tsandi_Constituency) Electorally, the Omusati region is consistently dominated by the [South West Africa People's Organization](/source/South_West_Africa_People's_Organization) (SWAPO). For instance, Omusati voters selected SWAPO with 97.68% of their votes in the [2004 parliamentary election](/source/Namibian_general_election%2C_2004),[12] and again with 98% in the [2014 election](/source/Namibian_general_election%2C_2014). ### Regional elections In the [2004 regional election](/source/2004_Namibian_local_and_regional_elections) for the [National Assembly of Namibia](/source/National_Assembly_of_Namibia), SWAPO won in all constituencies by a landslide. In Anamulenge and Otamanzi, no opposition party even nominated a candidate.[13] The [2015 local and regional elections](/source/Namibian_local_and_regional_elections%2C_2015) saw SWAPO obtain 99.4% of the total votes ([2010](/source/2010_Namibian_local_and_regional_elections): 99.0)[6] and win uncontested eight of the twelve Omusati constituencies, and two of the five towns.[14] The remaining four constituencies SWAPO won by a landslide, with results ranging from 89% (Ruacana) to 98% (Ogongo).[15] Although SWAPO's support dropped to 86.5% of the total votes in the [2020 regional election](/source/2020_Namibian_local_and_regional_elections), it again won all constituencies by a large margin.[16] ### Governors This list is incomplete; you can help by adding missing items. (July 2025) - [Erginus Endjala](/source/Erginus_Endjala) (2015–2025)[17] - [Immanuel Shikongo](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Immanuel_Shikongo&action=edit&redlink=1) (July 2025–)[1] ## 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 km2. 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.[18] ### 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.[18] ### 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%).[18] ### 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).[18] ## External links - [Official website](https://omusatirc.gov.na) Omusati Regional Council Wikivoyage has a travel guide for ***[Four-O region](https://en.wikivoyage.org/wiki/Four-O_region#Q764385)***. ## References 1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-oversight_1-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-oversight_1-1) ["Seven new regional governors appointed"](https://thebrief.com.na/2025/07/seven-new-regional-governors-appointed-as-president-tightens-oversight/). *thebrief.com.na*. 1 July 2025. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-2)** "Namibia's Population by Region". *Election Watch* (1). Institute for Public Policy Research: 3. 2013. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-Census2011_3-0)** ["Omusati 2011 Census Regional Profile"](https://cms2.my.na/assets/documents/p19dptss1qjep16pd1d0utqf1uq84.pdf) (PDF). *Statistics Namibia*. Retrieved 10 April 2020.[*[permanent dead link](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Link_rot)*] 1. **[^](#cite_ref-4)** ["2023 Population & Housing Census Preliminary Report"](https://web.archive.org/web/20240324152514/https://nsa.nsa.org.na/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Preliminary-Report-doc-fn.pdf) (PDF). *Statistics Namibia*. Archived from [the original](https://nsa.nsa.org.na/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Preliminary-Report-doc-fn.pdf) (PDF) on 2024-03-24. Retrieved 2024-03-16. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-GlobalDataLab_5-0)** ["Sub-national HDI - Area Database - Global Data Lab"](https://hdi.globaldatalab.org/areadata/shdi/). *hdi.globaldatalab.org*. Retrieved 13 September 2018. 1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-election2020_6-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-election2020_6-1) ["Regional Council 2020 Election Results"](http://elections.na). Interactive map. [Electoral Commission of Namibia](/source/Electoral_Commission_of_Namibia). 18 January 2021. Retrieved 23 October 2021. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-7)** ["Regions | Namibia"](https://www.namibweb.com/regions.htm). *www.namibweb.com*. Retrieved 7 July 2022. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-8)** ["Map - Omusati Region(Omusati) - MAP\[N\]ALL.COM"](http://174.127.109.64/en/Map-Omusati-Region_1105368.html). *174.127.109.64*. Retrieved 7 July 2022. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-N2014_9-0)** Tjihenuna, Theresia (2 April 2014). ["More than 1 million Namibians defecate in open"](https://web.archive.org/web/20140407103151/http://www.namibian.com.na/indexx.php?id=11284&page_type=story_detail&category_id=1). *[The Namibian](/source/The_Namibian)*. Archived from [the original](http://www.namibian.com.na/indexx.php?id=11284&page_type=story_detail&category_id=1) on 7 April 2014. Retrieved 4 April 2014. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-10)** Duddy, Jo Maré (11 April 2013). ["Unemployment rate still alarmingly high"](https://web.archive.org/web/20130414025748/http://www.namibian.com.na/news/full-story/archive/2013/april/article/unemployment-rate-still-alarmingly-high). *[The Namibian](/source/The_Namibian)*. Archived from [the original](http://www.namibian.com.na/news/full-story/archive/2013/april/article/unemployment-rate-still-alarmingly-high/) on 14 April 2013. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-11)** Miyanicwe, Clemans; Kahiurika, Ndanki (27 November 2013). "School counsellors overstretched". *[The Namibian](/source/The_Namibian)*. p. 1. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-12)** [Election Update 2004](http://www.eisa.org.za/PDF/eu200403nam.pdf) [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20081203142841/http://www.eisa.org.za/PDF/eu200403nam.pdf) 2008-12-03 at the [Wayback Machine](/source/Wayback_Machine) Namibia 1. **[^](#cite_ref-13)** ["Electoral Act, 1992: Notification of Result of General Election for Regional Councils"](http://www.lac.org.na/laws/2005/3366.pdf) (PDF). *Government Gazette of the Republic of Namibia*. No. 3366. [Government of Namibia](/source/Government_of_Namibia). 3 January 2005. p. 6. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-14)** ["Opposition parties are mosquitoes, says Kawana"](http://www.namibian.com.na/index.php?page=read&id=33243). *[The Namibian](/source/The_Namibian)*. 26 October 2015. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-15)** ["Regional Council Election Results 2015"](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). [Electoral Commission of Namibia](/source/Electoral_Commission_of_Namibia). 3 December 2015. p. 17. Archived from [the original](http://www.ecn.na/documents/27857/223442/Regional+Counils+Election+Results_Duly+elected+candidates+2015.pdf/32493774-80b3-4be3-9ca1-1f6ce187673a?version=1.0) on 8 December 2015. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-GG7654_16-0)** ["Publication of results and particulars in respect of general elections for Regional Councils: Electoral Act, 2014"](http://www.lac.org.na/laws/2021/7654.pdf) (pdf). *Government Gazette of the Republic of Namibia*. No. 7654. [Government of Namibia](/source/Government_of_Namibia). 8 October 2021. pp. 16–17. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-Goodbye_17-0)** ["Goodbye"](https://www.namibiansun.com/news/goodbye2020-04-08/). *[Namibian Sun](/source/Namibian_Sun)*. 10 April 2020. p. 1. 1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-Census_18-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-Census_18-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-Census_18-2) [***d***](#cite_ref-Census_18-3) ["2023 Population and Housing Census Main Report"](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) (PDF). Namibia Statistics Agency. 2023. Archived from [the original](https://census.nsanamibia.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/2023-Population-and-Housing-Census-Main-Report-28-Oct-2024.pdf) (PDF) on 10 November 2024. Retrieved 3 July 2026. v t e Regions of Namibia Erongo Hardap ǁKharas Kavango East Kavango West Khomas Kunene Ohangwena Omaheke Omusati Oshana Oshikoto Otjozondjupa Zambezi v t e Constituencies in the Omusati Region of Namibia Anamulenge Elim Etayi Ogongo Okahao Okalongo Onesi Oshikuku Otamanzi Outapi Ruacana Tsandi [18°24′S 14°48′E / 18.400°S 14.800°E / -18.400; 14.800](https://geohack.toolforge.org/geohack.php?pagename=Omusati_Region¶ms=18_24_S_14_48_E_region:NA_type:adm1st_source:kolossus-nowiki) Authority control databases Geographic MusicBrainz area Other Yale LUX --- Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Omusati Region](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Omusati_Region) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Omusati_Region?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.