Otjiwarongo-based charity organisation Omake raised N$20,000 at a fundraising dinner in pledges towards the establishment of a safe place for vulnerable children and people with disabilities.

The construction of the centre is estimated to cost more than N$3 million.

The Omake Charity Organisation was founded in 2018 with the vision to establish a stay-in welfare and disability centre that will cater for more than 100 people and a soup kitchen to feed vulnerable children.

Otjozondjupa Governor James Uerikua urged the voter registration officials of the Electoral Commission of Namibia (ECN) to uphold the values of the institution. 

Uerikua made the remarks when the ECN officials visited his office, pledging support to the officials to ensure a smooth and successful registration process.

The general registration of voters is scheduled to start from the 3rd of June until the 1st of August.

B2Gold has committed N$19 million towards the completion of Ombili Primary School at Ombili Informal Settlement in Otjiwarongo to meet the government halfway in ensuring access to education.

B2GOLD Country Manager John Roos says N$3 million has already been spent since 2021 for 24 classrooms and two blocks for grade 1 and 2 learners.

Roos says the mining company decided to construct eight additional classrooms to address overcrowding in classes.

The company will also construct a library and a science lab, while the sports field will be completed in 2025.

Otjozondjupa Governor James Uerikua says the completion of the biomass project at Otjiwarongo would help address developmental hindrances such as drought.

Uerikua says amidst the current drought spells affecting the nation, biomass will assist in the bush encroachment that is affecting grazing lands or harvesting fields.

Uerikua said that farmers across the region have been battling with diminishing grazing lands. 

Road infrastructure in Otjiwarongo continues to worsen and needs urgent intervention from the local government authorities in the town.

The municipality of Otjiwarongo entered into an agreement with the Roads Authority and the Road Fund Administration to upgrade the road network in Otjiwarongo.

Good road network infrastructure provides a convenient and efficient mode of transportation for goods and services. This, in turn, makes goods and services more accessible to a larger group, leading to increased trade and commerce.

Two people have died from injuries sustained in separate car accidents along the B1 road in the Otjozondjupa region. These accidents occurred as the Easter long weekend came to an end. In addition, a total of 32 people survived with minor injuries in separate minibus accidents in the region.

According to NamPol's Inspector Maureen Mbeha, the community affairs officer for the Otjozondjupa Region both accidents were caused by tire bursts, which resulted in the drivers losing control and the vehicles overturning multiple times.

The Annual General Meeting of the Namibian Exile Kids Association (NEKA) in Otjiwarongo has elected Kadiva Hamutumwa as the new president, with Sackey Nendongo as the deputy.

Elisabeth Nghitende is the Secretary General, with Simubali Simubali as the deputy.

Yesterday, attendees of the NEKA AGM decided not to follow the advice of SWAPO Party Secretary General Sophia Shaningwa, who requested a postponement of the elections during the AGM.

Shaningwa stated that there was evident tension among and between various groups during the Congress.

President Nangolo Mbumba has commended the Namibian Exile Kids Association (NEKA) for continuing to be the voice of the children born in exile at the height of the liberation struggle.

Dr. Mbumba, who is also the patron of NEKA, says the association has managed to bring together members to promote the welfare and preserve the cultural heritage of the struggle through networking and information sharing.

The Chairperson of the Otjozondjupa Regional Council, Marlene Mbakera, has called for the construction of a referral hospital in Otjiwarongo. 
 
Mbakera was speaking during the National Planning Commission's visit to the Otjozondjupa Region.

Mbakera says Otjiwarongo has never been without good plans, but rather, its challenge lies in the execution of such plans. 

She spoke with regards to a referral hospital planned for Otjiwarongo, which has been featured in the expenditure framework for the past seven years now. 

On national days such as independence, people, including leaders, often flock to the host region for the official celebration.

With no event organised, residents would go about their lives the usual way. 

The nbc Otjiwarongo News crew went around the town to see what residents were up to on Independence Day.