Water drawn from natural springs has sustained families and livestock at Okorosave for generations, but contamination has often threatened this vital lifeline. 

That is now changing, following the official commissioning and handover of developed and protected springs at Okorosave in the Kunene Region.

The initiative is aimed at providing cleaner and more reliable water, under the theme "Protecting Springs, Securing Water: Strengthening Community Resilience in the Kunene Region".

Speaking on behalf of the Office of the Vice Chancellor at UNAM, Professor Jacob Sheehama says the project seeks to protect a water source that rural communities have depended on for generations.

"For generations people in this great Kunene region have depended on natural springs; however, when they are unprotected, they are open to contamination, animal runoff and waste."

SADC-GMI's Executive Director, James Sauramba, said the project is a model that could be expanded to other communities across the region.

"We are particularly proud of this project because it is the best practice in our region for spring protection, and as the SADC GMI, we are looking forward to upscaling the lesson learned here in Namibia to other countries."

The government urged the community to take ownership of the infrastructure and safeguard it.

"As from the government side, and our donors here, we would like to urge the community here that this infrastructure now is no more of the government; it is a community infrastructure, so the community should look after this infrastructure," said the Deputy Director of Geohydrology, Sakeus Ihemba. 

At Okorosave, the official handover marks more than a new water facility. The spring now carries renewed hope, offering cleaner water for families, protecting livestock and strengthening a community where every drop matters.