Also known as: Ohangwena Governor Kadiva Hamutumwa · Governor Kadiva Hamutumwa · Hon. Kadiva Hamutumwa · Hamutuwa · Governor Hamutumwa
Ohangwena Regional Governor overseeing healthcare awards, water security, infrastructure, and regional development priorities including textile hub and irrigation schemes.
Governor Kadiva Hamutumwaencouraged leaders and public servants tocontinue working together to build efficient, accountable healthcare system
Source
“Ohangwena Regional Governor Kadiva Hamutumwa has encouraged leaders and public servants to continue working together to build a healthcare system that is efficient, accountable, inclusive and responsive to the needs of the people.”
Hamutumwareaffirmedthe government's commitment to quality healthcare
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“She reaffirmed the government's commitment to quality healthcare, saying that healthcare professionals remain the backbone of Namibia's health system.”
Kadiva Hamutumwasays the region plans toinstall desalination plants at at least 10 boreholes to address saline water challenges
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“Auleria Wakudumo Ohangwena governor Kadiva Hamutumwa says the region plans to install desalination plants at at least 10 boreholes to address saline water challenges affecting communities.”
Governor Kadiva Hamutumwacelebratedthe official opening of the district road D4119 from Omulondo to Oshuuli
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“THE Minister of Works and Transport, Veikko Nekundi, the Governor of the Ohangwena Region, Hon. Kadiva Hamutumwa, together with representatives of the German project partners, Roads Authority (RA) management, and members of the benefiting communities, celebrated the official opening of the district road D4119 from Omulondo to Oshuuli in the Ohangwena Region on 24 April 2026.”
Ohangwena governor Kadiva Hamutumwasaid the project was a direct response tochallenges witnessed during her visit to the school
Source
“Ohangwena governor Kadiva Hamutumwa said the project was a direct response to challenges she witnessed during her visit to the school with the Ohangwena education director Isak Hamatwi last year.”
“Speakers included Regional Governor Kadiva Hamutumwa; former PLAN Chief of Operations and former Chief of the Namibian Defence Force (NDF), General Martin Shalli; parliamentarian and former minister Pohamba Shifeta; SWAPO Party regional coordinator Fillemon Joshua; and former PLAN fighter and businessman Banda Shilimela.”
President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah said at the opening of the Omaludi Agricultural Festival in Ohangwena that development must not come at the expense of cultural identity. She noted the festival boosts the local economy through accommodation, transport, and informal trade, and announced the government will focus on improving existing agricultural schemes rather than establishing new ones.
Why it matters
President's emphasis on balancing development with cultural preservation addresses key national debate about economic growth and identity.
President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah said at the opening of the Omaludi Agricultural Festival in Ohangwena that development must not come at the expense of cultural identity. She noted the festival boosts the local economy through accommodation, transport, and informal trade, and announced the government will focus on improving existing agricultural schemes rather than establishing new ones.
Ohangwena Regional Governor Kadiva Hamutumwa encouraged leaders and public servants to build an efficient, accountable healthcare system at the second Ohangwena Regional Health Directorate's Health Professionals' Award Ceremony. Awards were presented to district hospitals, management teams, and individual healthcare workers based on measurable indicators including patient care, infection prevention, hospital cleanliness, data management, leadership and timely reporting.
Ohangwena region aims to install desalination plants at least 10 boreholes to treat saline water that has made many government-drilled boreholes unusable. Governor Kadiva Hamutumwa said a contractor was appointed in April by NamPower, with implementation expected within four months, as part of broader interventions to improve water security across the region.
The Minister of Works and Transport and Ohangwena Region Governor officially opened the 23 km district road D4119 from Omulonu to Oshuuli on 24 April 2026, funded through Namibian-German Development Cooperation at a contract value of N$53 million. The all-year-round road connects two schools, a heritage centre, and more than 2,000 people in a previously sandy-track area.
Teachers at Helao Nafidi Combined School in Okongo have moved into a newly constructed house with eight bedrooms, a kitchen, showers and a sitting room, ending years of living in makeshift shacks. The project was sponsored by AffluentGen Group and implemented by local workers, with Ohangwena governor Kadiva Hamutumwa saying it reflects listening to ground concerns and partnerships to restore educator dignity and improve working conditions.
Lucia Petrus, a wheelchair-bound resident of Oshandi-1 village in Ohangwena, received a newly built one-bedroom house through the Government's Cash for Work Programme after her home was destroyed by a storm three years ago. The disability-friendly house was constructed by nine youth from the village and completed within two months.
A tombstone was unveiled in Ohangwena Region to honour nine People's Liberation Army of Namibia combatants killed on 2 April 1989 in a clash with Koevoet, the counterinsurgency unit of the then South West African Police, just a day after a ceasefire had taken effect. Former PLAN fighters, government officials, and relatives attended the ceremony at Enghandja laShikongeni village.
The Ohangwena Education Directorate is hosting a regional awards ceremony in Eenhana to recognise outstanding teachers and learners for excellent performance, with Governor Kadiva Hamutumwa delivering the keynote address.
Albertina Tuvahanga Heita, a veteran of Namibia's independence struggle who went into exile at age 19 and later worked in vocational training, died on 18 March aged 70 and was buried at Ondobe Cemetery in Ohangwena. Officials and community members paid tribute to her contributions to both the liberation struggle and post-independence nation-building.
Namibia's 36th Independence Day celebrations across all 14 regions carried a unified message from political and community leaders to preserve the liberation legacy, strengthen unity, and address youth unemployment and economic inequality. While acknowledging democratic achievements and progress in service delivery, leaders emphasised that political independence must now be matched by economic emancipation and that youth must drive future development.
Ohangwena Regional Governor Kadiva Hamutumwa called on Namibians, especially youth, to strive for a united, peaceful, and developed nation at the 36th independence anniversary celebrations, reflecting on historical sacrifices and expressing solidarity with regional partners against imperialism.
Some Swapo members holding full-time government positions as councillors, governors and ministers are allegedly refusing to vacate their party leadership posts, defying a February directive by party secretary general Sophia Shaningwa requiring them to step down to prevent leadership vacuums and operational paralysis. Those refusing include Khomas governor Sam Nujoma (SPYL regional coordinator), Emma Muteka (SPYL district secretary), and Minister Indileni Daniel (party women's council coordinator), though some members have complied with the order.
Salimi Gerhard is organizing a women's empowerment brunch titled "Straighten Your Crowns, Ladies – It's Time to Rise" on 14 March in Oshakati, aimed at creating space for healing and renewed confidence. The event will feature speakers including Ohangwena governor Kadiva Hamutumwa and business coach Victoria Haihambo, with a focus on personal growth, leadership, and practical conversations around women's challenges.
The Namibia Exile Kids Association held its fourth central committee meeting in Windhoek on Saturday, with NEKA president Kadiva Hamutumwa calling for strengthened solidarity through unity and reaffirming members' commitment to Swapo's legacy. Hamutumwa stressed the importance of innovation, community empowerment, and honouring liberation struggle sacrifices while fostering collaboration among affiliated organisations.
Retired colonel and former defence minister Erkki Nghimtina (78) received a military funeral at the direction of President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, despite a Cabinet moratorium on official funerals that runs until 31 March 2026. The decision has drawn scrutiny from a social activist who argues that military honours should not be automatic for Swapo veterans and former ministers and must be governed by statutory law rather than political motivation.
The Ohangwena Communal Land Board has begun removing 22 illegal fences in Okongo constituency between 17 and 22 February, with more than 50 National Youth Service members deployed to assist. Board chairperson Wilhelmina Shakela said the occupants had ignored letters to vacate, as the communal land is reserved for grazing, though demonstrators in recent weeks have protested the removals claiming they would lose their homes.
Erkki Nghimtina, a liberation struggle icon who served as defence minister and member of Parliament, has died at age 77. His burial will take place at the Eenhana Shrine on Saturday, with a military funeral confirmed and senior government officials expected to attend.
Ohangwena Regional Governor Kadiva Hamutumwa outlined the region's development priorities aligned with SWAPO's 2025–2030 Manifesto, including a textile manufacturing hub at Oshikango, an irrigation scheme in Ekoka village, the Namibia University of Science and Technology campus at Eenhana, and a bulk water supply project spanning to Oshikoto Region.
Two northern village headmen have been suspended for presiding over dubious land transactions, with the Onehanga headman fired and the Oshamukweni headman returned to duty after apologising. The senior headwoman said headmen were selling communal grazing land at inflated prices, contrary to traditional authority rules.
Helao Nafidi is set to establish its first private hospital, Helao Nafidi Private Hospital, with construction anticipated to begin in June 2026. The facility will be modeled on Ongwediva Medi-Park and is intended to relieve pressure on Engela district hospital while creating local employment and stimulating economic growth.
Matias Kanana Hishoono, a founding member of Owamboland People's Organisation (OPO) which evolved into Swapo, died on 14 January aged 89. Senior government officials and thousands of mourners gathered at his village for a memorial service, with a state funeral planned for Saturday at Eenhana Shrine.
President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah convened leaders from eight northern regions to discuss the 2026 work agenda, emphasizing collective responsibility and urging them to move away from perceptions of regional disparities. She also raised concerns about parliamentary inefficiency due to obstructions halting legislation and announced a state funeral for late liberation veteran Kanana Hishoono.
The governors of Ohangwena, Omusati, Oshana and Kunene regions are on a working visit to Angola to exchange knowledge on maize and wheat seed production and subsistence farming support. They met with Angola's Cunene Province acting governor and visited farms to observe production and food security practices.
Defence Minister Frans Kapofi visited the Onambutu homestead to offer condolences to the family of Mathias Kanana Hishoono, a former SWAPO Party Elders Council secretary and political adviser to Founding President Sam Nujoma who died on 14 January at age 94, reflecting on his role in Namibia's independence struggle and service to the nation.
Veteran SWAPO politician Mathias Kanana Hishoono, a liberation struggle pioneer who served as a SWAPO mobiliser, political prisoner, and post-independence adviser, passed away on 14 January at age 94. Ohangwena Regional Governor Kadiva Hamutumwa extended condolences and praised his sacrifice and service to the nation.
Ohangwena governor Kadiva Hamutumwa told regional councillors and officials that leaders must stop undermining their own efforts and causing poor service delivery. She urged urgency in leadership, called for political differences to not interfere with service provision, and emphasised that engaging with central government to unlock funding is critical for development.
Ohangwena Regional Governor Kadiva Hamutumwa told councillors and officials that political differences must not obstruct service delivery, warning against leaders undermining one another and calling for urgent focus on delivering tangible services to communities.