Ondangwa a growing economic hub

ILENI NANDJATO



Before independence until the early 2000s, when the Namibian government adopted its decentralisation policy, Ondangwa was the administrative capital of the north.

The town was booming because all the inhabitants of Oshikoto, Ohangwena and Oshana had to go to Ondangwa for government services. The town was also a centre of business, as it catered for all those flocking in from different areas.

Ondangwa was proclaimed a town in 1992 with only a population of 500 inhabitants, and had only two formalised - Ondangwa and Oluno. Today the town has 45 formalised township names with 9 000 houses.

In 1997, when government adopted its decentralisation policy, this saw government offices moving away from Ondangwa, but this did not kill the town.

It assisted it grow even stronger, as it attracted private investors who are today keeping the town alive.

“Before independence up until the early 2000s, the town was attracting people because of government offices that were serving three regions. After the decentralisation policy was introduced the government offices were moved out of Ondangwa. This did not kill the town, but it rather strengthened it,” said town CEO Ismael Namugongo.

“Our land allocation strategy assisted us to attract people to build their houses. We have been allocating land to individuals who want to build houses on their own and those who want to establish industries and business. The demand for land and housing continues to grow even after government offices relocated.”

The town manager for economic development and marketing, Gerhard Sem, said many private institutions and retailers find it profitable to do business in Ondangwa.

Sem said many people still spend their days at Ondangwa.

“Despite the decentralisation policy, Ondangwa remains the central business town for people from Ohangwena, Oshikoto and parts of Oshana. That is where you find business services and that is why people find it appropriate to settle in Ondangwa. We have several business complexes in the town, but you will always find all of them busy,” said Sem.

“We are the only town in the north where you find three Shoprites, two Pick n Pays and two Woermann Brock supermarkets in one town. Still these supermarkets cannot meet the demand of the people in Ondangwa. They are supplemented by Choppies and various mini-markets. We also had Spar that left last year, but came back this year.”

Ondangwa marketing officer Susan Iihuhwa said as the town attracts a large number of people, it is also struggling with street vendors.

She said the town has two open markets, but still vendors cannot fit in the allocated spaces. Iihuhwa said they are currently busy constructing a third open market, which is already fully booked.

“Historically Ondangwa is a place for trading. At the onset there was only Ondjondjo supermarket and the CDM recruitment office and people from villages use to flock to sell their products. This remains the tradition and that is why we are struggling with vendors,” Iihuhwa said.

“In 2010 when we established our trade fair it was mainly for informal traders, because we did not have any infrastructure to accommodate corporate companies. These informal traders kept us afloat until we managed to construct an exhibition hall that is now attracting corporate entities.”