For the past 34 years, rural electrification in the Kavango East Region has mostly targeted public institutions instead of households. 

The regional leadership says it's about time to shift focus to households in rural areas, where some have been without electricity since independence. 

This was among the deliberations that took place during the discussion between representatives of the Ministry of Mines and Energy and the Kavango Regional Council on the question of rural electrification. 

Lack of value addition to the livestock subsector, inadequate access to potable water, poor network coverage, and rural electrification are some of the key areas that need attention to address regional development in the Omaheke Region. 

These matters were brought to the attention of the 6th National Development Plan meeting in Gobabis. 

The meeting discussed developmental challenges faced by the communities. 

It is a well-known fact that rural electrification significantly enhances the quality of life.

In light of this, residents of the Ondu Jovi Tenda location at Kalkfeld settlement in the Otjozondjupa Region expressed their gratitude to the government for the joy of having their houses electrified just in time for the festive season.
 
Our nbc News team in the region caught up with homeowners living in the 94 brick-structured houses at the settlement.

Residents of Epukiro who have been connected to the electric grid have been urged to capitalise on it to better their lives.

The Constituency Councillor, Piniel Pakare, made an appeal in an interview with nbc News at Ohakavena, one of four villages just electrified through the Rural Electrification Project.

Pakarae says the rural electrification project is a costly exercise, but the government, through its stakeholders, is trying to light up rural areas.

Residents of Otjimbingwe are frustrated over the lack of electricity in their homes.

They say letters requesting the electrification of their homes were written several times but without a positive response.

Under the rural electrification program, the government and Erongo Red have partially installed electricity at the Otjimbingwe settlement and surrounding areas.

However, those without electricity are not impressed because they have been waiting for years to have their homes electrified as well.