Green scheme tours not linked to elections, Kavango East council says
Kavango East Regional Council chairperson Damian Maghambayi has dismissed claims that recent oversight visits to agricultural projects in the region are politically motivated, saying the council’s work is about service delivery, not electioneering.
Speaking during a recent tour of green schemes and other initiatives, Maghambayi stressed that the visits are part of council resolutions aimed at tackling challenges, supporting small-scale farmers and ensuring communities benefit directly.
“Yes, some may say it’s because elections are near, but as a regional council, we are here to stay,” he said, adding that practical implementation of projects remains their top priority.
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Rundu Rural councillor Paulus Mbangu, who will be contesting the upcoming regional and local authority elections as an independent candidate, said his message remains unchanged – agriculture must be taken seriously if the region is to move forward. Speaking to Namibian Sun at Uvhungu-Vhungu Green Scheme last week, Mbangu stressed that for too long the sector was neglected. “I remain the same person, and I have been consistent throughout. The truth has not changed – we ignored this sector for years,” he said.
According to Mbangu, the last time government meaningfully scaled up production at the green schemes was about 15 years ago, leaving projects stagnant and underutilised. However, he acknowledged that in the past two years, production has begun to recover, citing wheat harvests at Shadikongoro and other ongoing projects at Ndonga Linena and Uvhungu-Vhungu.
Despite this progress, he highlighted critical shortcomings such as the lack of storage facilities at Uvhungu-Vhungu and the urgent need for additional centre pivots at Shadikongoro. Mbangu believes that addressing these gaps could allow the schemes to reach maximum production capacity and transform the livelihoods of small-scale farmers in the region.
Speaking during a recent tour of green schemes and other initiatives, Maghambayi stressed that the visits are part of council resolutions aimed at tackling challenges, supporting small-scale farmers and ensuring communities benefit directly.
“Yes, some may say it’s because elections are near, but as a regional council, we are here to stay,” he said, adding that practical implementation of projects remains their top priority.
Pay attention
Rundu Rural councillor Paulus Mbangu, who will be contesting the upcoming regional and local authority elections as an independent candidate, said his message remains unchanged – agriculture must be taken seriously if the region is to move forward. Speaking to Namibian Sun at Uvhungu-Vhungu Green Scheme last week, Mbangu stressed that for too long the sector was neglected. “I remain the same person, and I have been consistent throughout. The truth has not changed – we ignored this sector for years,” he said.
According to Mbangu, the last time government meaningfully scaled up production at the green schemes was about 15 years ago, leaving projects stagnant and underutilised. However, he acknowledged that in the past two years, production has begun to recover, citing wheat harvests at Shadikongoro and other ongoing projects at Ndonga Linena and Uvhungu-Vhungu.
Despite this progress, he highlighted critical shortcomings such as the lack of storage facilities at Uvhungu-Vhungu and the urgent need for additional centre pivots at Shadikongoro. Mbangu believes that addressing these gaps could allow the schemes to reach maximum production capacity and transform the livelihoods of small-scale farmers in the region.
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