Delegates from the Office of the Prime Minister have started a three-day visit to the Tsumkwe Constituency.

The visit aims to engage with the traditional authority, assess community conditions, and identify key development challenges affecting residents in the constituency.

The delegation visited several sites, including Tsumkwe Secondary School and its hostel, the Tsumkwe Clinic, as well as several incomplete community development projects.

At the Tsumkwe Agricultural Hub and Integrated Food System project, the Senior Councillor of the Ju|'hoansi Traditional Authority raised concerns over stalled development initiatives.

Senior Councillor Fransina Ghauz said land is allocated by the traditional authority for projects intended to create employment opportunities and improve livelihoods. However, many of these initiatives remain incomplete before they can benefit residents.

During the visit to the Tsumkwe Agricultural Hub and Integrated Food System project, concerns were raised over delays in its operationalisation.

"As we can see, this project is now standing still and is not moving forward. As the traditional authority, we are not happy because we wrote letters requesting two boreholes to be drilled, and after that was done, there has been no progress on the project," said Ghauz. "We invited the delegates from the Office of the Prime Minister to come and witness the projects that are not operating. We want these projects to start functioning so that they can help improve the livelihoods of the community."

The project, which was inaugurated two years ago, was established to create employment opportunities and strengthen food security for local residents.

It was implemented by the World Food Programme in partnership with the Otjozondjupa Regional Council, the Tsumkwe community, and the Tsumkwe Village Council on a 45-hectare piece of land. It includes a fish pond and three boreholes but has still not become operational.

Ernestus Karabo, Control Officer for Rural Water Supply at the Otjozondjupa Regional Council, said the project stalled after it was discovered that water from the boreholes was not suitable for irrigation. 

He also cited funding challenges and said efforts are underway to secure resources for additional boreholes to revive the project.

Another site visit was to the Ju|'hoansi Cultural Museum, about 10 kilometres outside Tsumkwe, which has remained incomplete since 2012 and was later abandoned despite being under the management of the regional council.

The Special Adviser to the Prime Minister, Asser Ntinda, said he will share his assessment of the visit after all site inspections are completed.