The Deputy Chief of National Development Advice at the National Planning Commission stressed that the return of the people from Botswana for the past thirty years is much more than a relocation but a homecoming of descendants to the land connected to the history of their ancestors. 

Manongwa Sikanda made this remark at the annual commemoration at Eiseb 10 in the Otjombinde constituency in the Omaheke Region. 

Sikanda emphasised that despite government efforts to deliver essential services, significant gaps remain. 

He called for urgent intervention to upgrade roads, water, electricity, schools, and telecommunications networks.

"Government, traditional authority, regional and local structures, development partners, the private sector and the community must work together to identify priorities, and turning them into practical intervention planning is strong when it listens to the people it is meant to serve."

Ombara of the Ovambanderu Traditional Authority Eben Tjozohongo || Nguvauva emphasised that events such as the annual commemorations should serve as platforms that unite communities and strategise about development in their area. 

"Let us get up and work hard and engage government officials so that we can look for development in our areas. For the youth: you must join others and work; instead of just talking, development needs cooperation."

A returnee from Botswana, residing at Otjipaheua Katjirari Mutenge, says that a lack of proper dwellings and poor radio and mobile network reception, amongst others, remain some of the challenges that need to be addressed as a matter of urgency. 

Under the leadership of Chief Matundu, we at Otjipaheua are appealing to the government for urgent assistance. Our greatest needs right now are radio coverage and new schools. As we all know, education is the key to our future, which is why these developments are so vital for our community."

Deputy Minister of Information and Communication Technology Wenzel Kavaka stated that through the Ministry, a new network tower is set to be constructed at Otjipaheua, while road upgrades remain another priority area of development for the constituency.

"Officials have finalised a development plan for Otjipaheua to support returnees from Botswana, while a tender funded by the African Development Bank has been issued for a water project at Otjoruuma, pending final consultations with traditional leaders to ensure community-wide benefits."

This year Eiseb's annual commemoration was held under the theme "Echoes of 1896 and 1904, honouring the footsteps of our ancestors through the great Eiseb homecoming".