Japan has, to date, dispatched more than 100 teachers across different schools, while the construction of additional classrooms in Namibia continues.

Funded through Japan's "Grant Assistance for Grassroots Projects' programme, Namibia has been a beneficiary of school buildings and around 300 classrooms since 1997.

Japan's Ambassador to Namibia provided an update on this and other matters of mutual concern between the two countries to President Nangolo Mbumba at State House.

As Namibia celebrates 34 years of independence, the Kavango West is also celebrating 10 years since it was declared an independent region. 

In 2013, following a recommendation of the Fourth Delimitation Commission of Namibia and in preparation for the 2014 general election, the Kavango Region was split into Kavango East and West. 

Kavango West Region is located in the north-eastern part of Namibia and has a population of 123,266.

The region's eight constituencies are 99% rural.

Residents of Kavango West Region gathered in numbers to pay homage to the late President Hage Geingob. 

The Governor of Kavango West Region, Sirkka Ausiku, shared a message of condolence on behalf of the Kavango West Region. 

Swapo Party Kavango West Regional Coordinator David Hipulwa, in his tribute, described the late party President as a unifier.

Between January and November 2023, 183 crimes were committed against women and children in the Kavango West Region. 

The region has now joined the rest of the country in carrying out "Operation Basadi," targeting wanted persons for violence against women, children, and the elderly.

Members of the Namibian Police Force in Kavango West took to the streets of Nkurenkuru, signifying the start of "Operation Basadi," which will run until December 6.

Namibia's first community seed bank opened its doors at Sharukwe village in Kavango West. 

The project, which cost more than N$500,000 to set up, was funded by GIZ, MTC, and the Environmental Investment Fund.

Community Seed Banks are used to collect, store, and protect local seeds. 

Community seed banks can help farmers access seeds to grow crops during the next planting season, or they can be used as an emergency seed supply when crops are damaged and destroyed. 

Learners at Simanya Combined School in the Kavango West Region's Mpungu Constituency, who are currently accommodated in a community hostel, are soon to receive a fully fledged school hostel.

The hostel, which is 90% complete, was donated by the government of the People's Republic of China.

The learners walk to and from school as far as five kilometres every day.

At the moment, the learners provide for themselves without proper supervision.

The construction of the hostel started in June last year and is expected to be completed next month.

Kavango West Governor Sirkka Ausiku has applauded farmers for keeping to the vision for the region to become agriculturally active and self-sufficient.

Ausiku addressed the Kavango West Farmers Union's second ordinary congress at Nkurenkuru.

Ausiku says that as the youngest region, the leadership saw it fit to strengthen its agricultural status.

In 2017, the Farmers Union was established to help reach this vision.

Japan's Ambassador to Namibia, Hisao Nishimaki, says he is impressed with the strides made by horticulture producers in the Kavango West Region. Japan has provided N$2 million to be used for horticulture-related training and equipment in the region.

The Ambassador's visit included a stopover with the Governor of the region as well as with representatives from the Ministry of Agriculture and the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the UN. They visited a number of small-scale projects where they assessed progress made since Nishimaki's first visit last year.

The Minister of Works and Transport, John Mutorwa, has announced phase two of the upgrade on the Charlie Cutline Road, 70 kilometres west of Rundu.

The second phase is set to run for six months, covering at least 35 kilometres at a cost of N$29.8 million.

The road connects the Kavango East, Kavango West, Oshikoto, and Ohangwena regions.

The second phase of the upgrade has already started, and it has so far covered 10 kilometres.