A multidisciplinary team leading the technical phase of the President's Legacy Project, through the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Water, and Land Reform, held a stakeholders' engagement at Opuwo.

The meeting discussed the project as well as possible sites for its establishment.

The regional project, once established, will develop a strategic dam and an integrated climate-resilient farming system in the Kunene Region.

The aim of the project is to address regional food insecurity, unlock agricultural potential in underutilised areas, and enhance climate resilience and rural livelihoods.

Attendees, like Chief Tjavindikua Zatjinda, expressed excitement that the president chose to have her Legacy Project set up in the region.

"The dam is a huge deal for us; hence, we say thank you to our president for this idea of having a dam in Okaoko. We are thankful and receive it with open hands. If we are wise, we will accept this opportunity with welcoming hearts because it is life-changing and will create employment for our children."

The Head of the Technical Team, Aina Iteta, explained the importance of community participation and indigenous knowledge, thanking the office of the governor for laying the groundwork with the potential site already identified. 

"Of course, these are local ideas because, mind you, indigenous knowledge and indigenous information are very important in this. They know how the river flows. They know which irrigation, or, I mean, which type of production initiatives, they would want to engage in when it comes to livelihood issues. Is it now fodder production? How will it also support the food security for the region itself? And, of course, the participation was really wonderful."

The team is expected to visit different places that were identified as potential sites for this development and complete their research by the 31st of this month.