Martin Endjala
The Otjiwarongo municipality intends to name several streets in Orwetoveni Extension 4 after renowned medical doctors and sports personalities.
The list includes health and social services minister, Kalumbi Shangula, former health minister Richard Kamwi, ophthalmologist Helena Ndume, late national forensics expert Paul Ludik, and Moderatha Finken.
Another street will be named after Anne Heyman, who created the Agahozo-Shalom Youth Village that shelters orphans of the Rwanda genocide.
Last week, the town’s chief executive officer, Mberipura Hifitikeko, issued a notice of objection proposing new names for unnamed streets.
“Any person objecting to the proposed names may lodge written motivational objections to the office of the CEO and Otjiwarongo to reach him not later than 19 July at 15h30,” read the notice.
Sports personalities like the late former Brave Warriors coach and legendary football player, Seth Boois, who died in 2020, legendary footballer Lindon Aseb, retired middle-distance runner Agnes Samaria, and retired footballer Philip ‘Roadblock’ Geiriseb also stand to have streets named after them.
The proposed list of street names also includes the late Julius Neumbo, a former Otjiwarongo councillor.
Other proposed names comprise towns, national parks, and animals.
Another proposal involved renaming the infamous Von Trotha Street to Ohamakari Street.
The street was named after the infamous German Army Lieutenant-General Lothar von Trotha.
For years, the Ovaherero people have been calling for the street to be renamed.
In 2022, it was proposed that the street be renamed after local business personality Theo Borstlap. This was objected to.
The public has until 19 July to object to the new names.
Last week, the Keetmanshoop Municipality renamed a street in the Tseiblaagte residential area after the captain of Namibia’s senior women’s football team, Zenatha Coleman.
