Natalia /Goagosesprioritisedwater scarcity, road safety and improved accountability in development funding
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“According to her, there is a need for unity and inclusive development as the region moves forward. She then acknowledged that some parts of the region have been battling water challenges and that she has prioritised water scarcity, road safety and improved accountability in development funding, particularly programmes aimed at supporting youth, women and vulnerable groups.”
Erongo governor Natalia /Goagosessays there is urgent need to reviewNamibia's laws to address illegal mining challenges
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“Erongo governor Natalia /Goagoses says there is an urgent need to review Namibia's laws to address challenges surrounding illegal mining and ensure locals benefit from the region's opulent natural resources.”
Erongo governor Natalia /Goagosessaid the concurrent scale-up of pre-primary education willfacilitate absorption of children aged five to six years
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“Erongo governor Natalia /Goagoses said the concurrent and systematic scale-up of pre-primary education in schools will facilitate the full absorption of children aged five to six years.”
Erongo governor Nathalia /Goagosesspokeon behalf of health minister Dr Esperance Luvindao at the opening
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“Erongo governor Nathalia /Goagoses, speaking on behalf of health minister Dr Esperance Luvindao, also described the opening of the centre as a significant milestone for the region.”
Erongo governor Natalia /Goagoseswarnedregional government employees against ignoring supervisors and misusing labour laws
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“Erongo governor Natalia /Goagoses has warned regional government employees against ignoring supervisors and misusing labour laws amid rising workplace conflicts that could threaten service delivery.”
/Goagosessaida culture of refusing instructions from supervisors will no longer be tolerated across the regional council
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“/Goagoses said a culture of refusing instructions from "rightfully appointed supervisors" will no longer be tolerated across the regional council, local authorities and state-owned entities.”
Erongo Region Governor Natalia /Goagosesraised alarm overpoor performances during 2025 academic year
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“Erongo Region Governor Natalia /Goagoses raised alarm over the poor performances during an internal induction workshop for regional councillors, calling on education stakeholders to take collective responsibility following the release of the 2025 academic results.”
Minister of agriculture, fisheries, water and land reform Inge Zaamwani has ordered urgent action on water shortages, delayed responses and land servicing challenges in the Erongo region. Zaamwani said the region can no longer describe itself as water-stressed while located next to the ocean and having desalination potential.
Why it matters
Minister's urgent call for action on Erongo water shortages addresses critical regional resource management crisis.
Minister of agriculture, fisheries, water and land reform Inge Zaamwani has ordered urgent action on water shortages, delayed responses and land servicing challenges in the Erongo region. Zaamwani said the region can no longer describe itself as water-stressed while located next to the ocean and having desalination potential.
Minister Inge Zaamwani has ordered urgent action on water shortages and land servicing challenges in Erongo, calling for accelerated development of a second desalination plant and efficient operation of the existing one. She emphasized that water must be both developed and made affordable for residents and businesses.
Erongo's under-20 football team won the Nedbank Namibian Newspaper Cup, defeating Kunene 2-1 at Keetmanshoop. Team manager Daniel Mouton attributed the victory to determination, unity, and support from stakeholders including the governor's office.
Employees in Namibia's fishing industry protested the government's planned auction of 6 232 metric tonnes of hake quota, saying the system worsens working conditions and job insecurity. Workers called for quotas to be allocated directly to companies needing production support rather than sold to the highest bidder.
Communities in Karibib and Otjimbingwe are facing severe water access challenges, with residents relying on untreated water sources and experiencing supply interruptions lasting up to a week. The shortages are worsened by increased demand from mining operations in the region, forcing residents to raise funds for connections and abandon small-scale farming.
Workers from five fishing companies petitioned the Ministry of Agriculture demanding an end to the quota auction system, saying it fuels job insecurity and prevents long-term employees from securing permanent contracts. They argue the auction system favours the highest bidders, prevents companies from predicting future capacity, and has led to workers remaining on fixed-term contracts for years and widespread retrenchments in the sector.
Namibian netball legends say the sport has made progress over 36 years but needs more investment in grassroots development, infrastructure, coaching, and funding to sustain growth. They note that while players now receive some payment and professional opportunities, better pathways from schools to the national level and stronger support systems are essential.
The Erongo region has launched a Rural Development Forum to promote inclusive growth and improve rural communities' lives by bringing together stakeholders from government, NGOs, and the private sector. Governor Natalia /Goagoses said the initiative aligns with the sixth National Development Plan and aims to address persistent inequalities between rural and urban areas through improved infrastructure, economic opportunities, and grassroots-driven development.
Erongo Governor Natalia /Goagoses called for improved living conditions in rural communities at a regional development forum, emphasizing that development policies must translate into real change and address challenges including water scarcity, youth unemployment, and limited farming opportunities. The Regional Council chairperson stressed the importance of partnerships and coordination among government and private sector stakeholders in improving service delivery and creating economic opportunities.
Erongo governor Natalia /Goagoses cautioned residents at Independence Day celebrations in Karibib not to take democracy for granted, urging all to maintain and safeguard peace and stability. She highlighted regional challenges including water scarcity and pledged to prioritise development funding for youth, women and vulnerable groups, while a liberation war veteran called for policy reform to ensure mineral wealth benefits all citizens.
Erongo governor Natalia /Goagoses has called for urgent review of Namibia's mining laws to address illegal mining and ensure residents benefit from the region's mineral resources. She highlighted that small-scale miners in the Daures constituency, many of whom have operated since the 1960s–70s, are now classified as illegal despite their long history, while poor enforcement has allowed this to continue for decades.
The Uis community is demanding N$300 million in compensation from Xinfeng, a Chinese-majority lithium mining company that operated illegally until operations were halted in November 2024. The community cites damage to ancestral graves and cultural heritage, environmental harm, and lack of community consent, and calls for transparent benefit-sharing, local employment, and legally binding safeguards before mining resumes.
The Omaruru Technical Vocational Education and Training centre, housed in Omaruru's 'Yellow Building', will admit its first intake in April and gradually expand programmes over 18 months. The centre will initially offer accredited level 4/N3 welding training and aims to provide vocational education access to learners in rural areas of Erongo region.
Nationwide consultations are underway to revise Namibia's Early Childhood Development policy ahead of a formal transfer of the mandate to the education ministry effective 1 January 2027. The revision realigns the existing policy to reflect legislative and institutional changes, with focus on strengthened teacher qualifications, quality assurance, and integration of health and nutrition interventions, alongside government plans to significantly increase sector investment including per-child grants.
The Cancer Association of Namibia has opened a 10-bed palliative care facility in Swakopmund to serve cancer patients in the Erongo region, providing pain management, wound care and psychosocial support without requiring costly trips to Windhoek. The centre was established with support from donors and corporate partners including Langer Heinrich Uranium mine, which contributed over N$2 million.
Erongo governor Natalia /Goagoses has warned regional government employees against ignoring supervisors and misusing labour laws amid rising workplace conflicts. She criticised staff resistance to instructions, the conduct of shop stewards, and called for stronger work ethics to ensure service delivery.
Erongo recorded a 33.7% pass rate in 2025, below the national average and ranking among the bottom five regions. The governor called for collective responsibility from education stakeholders, while the teachers' union argued that poor performance reflects systemic challenges including overcrowding, teacher shortages, and inadequate infrastructure rather than teacher failure alone.
About 500 learners at High Hope Primary School in Walvis Bay returned to classes after water was reconnected following intervention by Erongo governor Natalia /Goagoses. The school had faced serious sanitation problems that forced learners to cross busy roads to access facilities at an adjacent school, prompting the governor to work with local officials to restore water and address safety concerns.
The /Naras Water Pipeline Project officially began construction in Okombahe settlement, Erongo region, extending the pipeline by 500 metres to connect to a NamWater source. The phased project is expected to improve water access, create local employment, and eventually include a bulk storage reservoir to ensure long-term sustainability.