EDITORIAL: Calls for new regions rooted in exclusion

Beyond decentralising government services, the delimitation of the country into regions is a very divisive concept. It has created entitlement and vices of regionalism and tribalism.The current calls for more regions to be created - by specifically splitting Ohangwena and Oshikoto into two - will not harmonise our communities, but divide them. In Oshikoto, ethno-linguistic motives seem to be at play.Proponents of this idea want the new region, Oshikoto West, to comprise areas between the Oshana, Oshikoto and Ohangwena regions. Looked at closely, these areas are predominantly inhabited by people who are linguistically homogeneous.The demand to split Ohangwena into two does not seem to be anchored in linguistic or ethno-homogeneity, but rather in leaders keeping development away from those in the western parts of the region.In Omusati, for example, more development is channelled towards the west. In eastern parts such as Okalongo, it’s every man for himself, God for all of us. But does this man-made, deliberate exclusion warrant creating a new region?A new region would entail setting up and funding all government offices, ministries and agencies in that jurisdiction. In the case of Okalongo, it would mean setting up these agencies just 39 kilometres from similar ones in Outapi.Leaders have a responsibility to drive inclusive development, instead of these ‘homeboy’ agendas. Their job is not to first look at their villages and tribal jurisdictions before considering other areas for development. The money is not from their tribal coffers.

EDITORIAL: Calls for new regions rooted in exclusion

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Namibian Sun 2026-09-22

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EDITORIAL: Calls for new regions rooted in exclusion

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Namibian Sun 2026-09-22

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