Residents of Hoachanas Village in the Hardap Region are witnessing significant and noticeable development in their community.

Access to basic services, once a rarity, is now becoming routine, instilling optimism for even greater progress compared to the past. Hoachanas, which has a population of approximately 4000, has been gradually transforming through key developments that have improved the lives of its residents. 

Previously, the village was extremely underdeveloped, with issues such as a lack of water and electricity being among the community's biggest concerns. Although unemployment still exists in the area, the introduction of electricity and proper sanitation has been a game changer for Hoachanas.

Residents highlight milestones such as improved access to sanitation, the establishment of a newly inaugurated library, the introduction of a periodic court, and reliable electricity, as well as enhanced road infrastructure. 

Traditional councillor of the Kai-Khaun Traditional Authority, Simon Gerhardus, says that these advancements have brought hope and progress to the area. "Our community now has access to electricity because of the development initiatives our government has implemented, including rural electrification.

Hoachanas has been electrified on a pre-paid basis, allowing every household, regardless of its condition, to switch on lights during darkness, which also enhances safety.

Previously, there was no proper water provision; the community depended solely on natural aquifers. The government has drilled boreholes, providing us with water, and we have also received improvements to our clinic over the years."

Youth activist Kenneth Reent commended the government and other stakeholders for establishing a community library, describing it as a positive step forward. However, he advocates for the establishment of a vocational training centre or another educational institution in the near future, as many young people who finish school are forced to travel long distances for further education, which most cannot afford.

"Development, slowly but surely, is taking place in Hoachanas. We now want to see employment creation and the development of small and medium enterprises; we want to see our youth thriving. It is evident that there has been stagnation in development over the past five years. In the next five, we want to see this fast-tracked and our youth employed. We have initiated a backyard garden project, with over 900 gardens currently established in Hoachanas. We no longer buy onions from supermarkets in Mariental, so if we could develop more opportunities for the youth, including the establishment of more vocational training centers, we would like to see a vocational training centre now that we have a library here."

The provision of drought relief food has also been welcomed, as hunger in the community gradually becomes less of a pressing concern.