Onayena Constituency is an electoral constituency in the Oshikoto Region located on the northern part of Oshikoto, with a population of 15,400 inhabitants as per the 2011 National Census. The administrative Centre for the constituency is Onayena Settlement area. The Onayena constituency has total area of 442.32 Km2 in extend as well as population density of 34.7, which is among the four constituencies in the Region with highest population concentration.
Main economic activities in the constituency are agriculture and cattle rearing. Its population is dominated by the Oshiwambo language speaking people and a small group of San people.
The village of Omandongo in Onayena Constituency is where the first Finnish missionaries arrived in 1870, including Nakambale Martin Rautanen, and it is also where the Ondonga kings Shikongo shaKalulu and Nehale LyaMpingana were buried.
Economic activities
Agriculture dominates the economic activities; most households depend directly on agriculture at a subsistence level where Mahangu (pearl millet) is the principal grown crop in the constituency. Cattle, goats and donkeys are the farming animals in the area. The Government is promoting surplus production among subsistence farmers as a means of generating cash income.
Most businesses are liquor wholesalers and outlets as well as small shops, selling basic amenities and foodstuff.
Potential investment areas
Small business development
The constituency has a good road network covering most localities in the constituencies. These road infrastructures are catalytic to the formation of small businesses in the constituency. There is good potential for SMEs to flourish in the constituency especially opportunities for the extraction of traditional liquor (Ombike) for export due to the availability of palm trees.
Tourism
The constituency has important cultural and historical links. The first finish missionaries arrived in Omandongo village in Onayena constituency. The ancient history of the Finish missionaries has made Omandongo village very popular and appealing to tourist. However, despite the plans by regional stakeholders to promote Omandongo site and proclaiming it as a national Heritage site, nothing has been done to date. The two Ondonga kings, Shikongo ShaKalulu and Nehale lyaMpingana were also buried at Omandongo site. Currently, few tourists visit the site and there is potential to increase the number of visitors to Omandongo if the site is marketed and developed.
Education: Onayena constituency has a total of 19 schools that comprises of 3 junior primary schools, 7 primary schools, 7 combined schools and 2 secondary schools.
Health: There are 2 health facilities within the constituency, a health centre and a clinic.
