Drought: Ovitoto in dire straits

Declaring a drought state of emergency will only have the desired and effective impact if those implementing the interventions act with the requisite urgency. This is according to Ovitoto chief Vipuira Kapuuo of the Ovaherero Traditional Authority.He said farmers, the vulnerable in communities and livestock have been suffering for some time due to the drought and need urgent interventions.Kapuuo said the Ovitoto communal area of the Omatako constituency is one of the areas severely affected by the drought.He therefore specifically appealed to commercial farmers and others bordering and neighbouring the communal area of Ovitoto to assist communal farmers in the corridors. Most of the livestock from the Ovitoto communal area have been grazing in corridors adjacent to some commercial farmers, said Kapuuo. According to him, amidst the lack of pasture, water has become a chronic need for farmers that have been condemned to these corridors by the drought. “Hence my humble appeal to help these farmers who are in dire straits, especially with water, as well as with much-needed grazing.”Kapuuo said he is mindful that grazing is hard to come by these days, as hardly any part of the country has not been affected by the drought.He added that the drought has been persistent in most parts of the country for about four years, if not more. He appealed to especially transport operators for their assistance to ferry water to the livestock in these corridors.“Likewise a special appeal and caution goes to the general public, in particular motorists, to show the utmost patience and caution for livestock grazing in corridors and on public roads in the Ovitoto communal area and its surroundings.”He also appealed to the farmers grazing their cattle in the corridors to take care in ensuring that their animals do not stray onto roads, as this can be a nuisance to road users and cause accidents. “Farmers must also ensure that the environment stays clean,” he said. ELLANIE SMIT

Drought: Ovitoto in dire straits

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Namibian Sun 2025-09-18

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Drought: Ovitoto in dire straits

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Namibian Sun 2025-09-18

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