Hertta-maria Amutenja
Plans are underway for the development of Okangwati Extension 3, a new township at Okangwati Settlement to address housing and infrastructure challenges for ultra-low-income residents in the Kunene Region.
The Kunene Regional Council, acting on behalf of the Okangwati Settlement Council, has initiated the project, which will include residential, business, and institutional erven.
The township is intended to improve service delivery and upgrade existing infrastructure in Okangwati.
A public notice published in local newspapers announced that Ritta Khiba Planning Consultants had been appointed to oversee the process and would be applying to the Urban and Regional Planning Board for formal approval.
“The establishment of the township will facilitate an adequate supply of residential, business, institutional, and civic erven to cater to the town’s ultra-low-income residents and upgrade existing infrastructure. This will create a conducive environment for residents of Okangwati Settlement to live in,” read the notice.
However, several details remain unclear, including timelines, service delivery plans, and whether the application for township establishment has already been submitted.
The notice does not include information on the provision of water, electricity, sanitation, or road networks.
The Kunene Regional Council and the consultants have not responded to queries regarding the township plans by the time of publication.
Okangwati, a settlement in the Epupa Constituency of the Kunene Region, is located about 110 kilometres north of Opuwo, the regional capital, on the banks of the Omuhongo River.
It currently has a health centre, a police station, and the Okangwati Combined School, but access to basic infrastructure remains limited.
While the notice confirms the intention to apply for township establishment, it does not specify whether the application has already been submitted or when a decision can be expected.
The approval process typically includes environmental assessments, infrastructure evaluations, and community consultations, but no public engagement sessions have been announced.
