OMUTHIYA-GWIIPUNDI CONSTITUENCY

Omuthiya constituency has a population of 26 183 people. It is the most populace constituency in the region. It extends into the Etosha National Park bordering the Okatyali constituency in Oshana region. The dominant economic activities include cattle farming and subsistence agriculture. Much of Omuthiya constituency was mainly used as a grazing area. It was a war zone during the struggle years. The constituency covers an area of 13,392.7 square kilometers with a population density of 2.0 people per square meter.

Economic activities

Subsistence Agriculture: subsistence agriculture is practiced in most households in the constituency. Mahangu is the main staple crop grown in the constituency where production is mainly done at household levels. Those who manage to produce a surplus grain, trade it within their communities and a few are able to access market at Omuthiya open market. The household food production is an impetus for people’s livelihood because it reduces the expenditure on food commodities.

Milk Production: due to the high number of livestock in the constituency, there has been a high volume of milk production in the Casablanca area. The milk is processed through traditional methods and is currently sold along the B1 road.

Tourism: Omuthiya constituency is home to Etosha National Park.  Nehale LyaMpingana gate into Etosha National Park is about 17km from Omuthiya Town. About 6km outside the town, there is a gravel road leading into the Etosha National Park. Etosha National Park is one of the most renowned tourism sites in Namibia and World.

SMEs activities: there is a high concentration of SMEs activities in the constituency especially in Omuthiya Town where the popular open market host a number of SMEs trading different goods. It is the only formal SMEs market in the constituency, due to the increasing number of SMEs; the Town Council of Omuthiya has a plan to expand the market in order to accommodate more traders.

>Potential areas of investment: There are areas and resources that are untapped and provide the potential for investment in the constituency namely:

Dairy production: There is a need to diversify the dairy production in the constituency. Both traditional and modern dairy production methods will improve on the final products. Cheese can also be processed from the milk. A dairy production factory in the area of Casablanca will be an appropriate intervention to tap into the available resources.

Tourism:There is a potential within the King Nehale Conservancy to establish lodges and tourist accommodation facilities and conference centers. The conservancy is on the way to Etosha National Park which creates a potential for visitors at these lodges to be taken for game drives into the Etosha National Park. The natural scenery around the conservancy will give the visitors a good environment to relax.

Education: Omuthiya constituency has a total of 28 schools that comprises of 1 junior primary school, 7 primary schools, 18 combined schools and 2 secondary schools.

Health:There are 3 health facilities in the constituency, a district hospital and 2 clinics.