Omaruru was the first town in Namibia to receive full municipal status in 1909, with the first municipal office building erected in 1926.

The council moved to the present building in the 1980s, which was the first government school and hostel, opened in 1912.

The town mayor, Vincent Kahua, shared the town's journey of economic growth and development before and after independence with the nbc News team.

Omaruru is a quiet town, located north of Karibib. 

It is surrounded by dairy farms and cattle ranches.

The town was built on its namesake river, set among camelthorn trees. 

It is located approximately 242 kilometres from the capital city of Windhoek and is considered the ideal stop-over for those headed to the Brandberg Mountains and other nearby attractions.

Omaruru is an Otjiherero word, loosely translated as "bitter milk." 

It is derived from the fact that, historically, cattle in the area grazed on the local bushes, which in turn gave their milk a slightly bitter taste.

The town's natives were the Damara people, but since 1870, it has been the traditional capital of the Zeraua house of the Hereros.

It is also a centre for the cattle and game farming industries.

The town has approximately 14,800 inhabitants.