Oshana burns, 41 846 hectares up in flames

The Oshana region has suffered a loss of 41 846 hectares of land to veld fires so far this year, with the majority of the damage occurring in August, according to reports from the environment ministry.

These statistics were presented during a regional disaster risk management committee meeting held on Thursday in Oshakati. 

Chief forester Felicia Haiduwa from the department of forestry reported that 3 560 hectares were razed in July, while 38 286 hectares were devastated in August alone. For context, the entire northern region experienced losses of approximately 200 000 hectares last year, with Oshana contributing 3 269 hectares to that total.

The most recent outbreak took place from 28 to 30 August, affecting several areas.

Haiduwa highlighted that operational challenges hinder effective response efforts. “Approximately 50% of our budget is consumed by vehicle repairs, and many projects face delays due to the inconsistent availability of transport," she said.

In addition, financial limitations restrict the effective implementation of planned activities, while the slow execution of procurement plans by all user departments exacerbates the issue, Haiduwa added.

She noted that delays in convening procurement committee meetings further hinder timely action. In some instances, requests for vehicle repairs may need to be submitted up to six times and can take nearly a year for approval, she said.

“There is an urgent need for procedural reform. Why must Oshana depend on the Windhoek head office to approve our submissions? Why can’t our region be entrusted with this responsibility?” Haiduwa asked.

She also called for designated camping sites for disaster management personnel from June to December, allowing for quicker responses, as reports of fires often arrive late, sometimes a day after the blaze has begun.

Governor demands better teamwork

Oshana governor Hofni Iipinge addressed the significant risks posed by the fires, which not only destroyed vast expanses of vegetation but also endangered communities, livestock, property and the environment. 

"The purpose of this meeting is to identify what went wrong, to learn from this incident, and to establish practical measures to ensure we are better prepared in the future,” he said.

Iipinge urged the committee to evaluate existing coordination and communication systems, highlighting the importance of clear command structures and established communication channels during emergencies.

"Everyone needs to know who initiates the response, who coordinates the deployment of resources, and who communicates accurate information to the public,” he said.

He underscored the importance of maintaining a verified inventory of firefighting vehicles, water tankers, protective clothing, machinery and trained personnel in the region.

“Community members must know where to report incidents. Information cannot be confined to a single group; it must be disseminated through radio, newspapers, constituency offices, local authorities, community leaders, and all available platforms. Greater emphasis must be placed on community awareness and preparedness,” he advised.

Lotto Kasamane, vice chairperson of the Ondonga Traditional Authority, stressed the importance of collaboration among all traditional authorities to prevent further loss of grazing land. “We must exchange ideas and develop strategies to ensure that no additional hectares fall victim to veld fires that threaten our grazing areas," he said.