Sostenus Wilherm
Otjozondjupa governor John //Khamuseb has called for stronger national investment in road safety along the B1 highway, warning that the country’s busiest transport corridor has become synonymous with devastating loss of life and that urgent collective action is needed to reverse the trend.
Speaking at the launch of the Otjozondjupa road safety community engagement initiative in Otjiwarongo on Monday, //Khamuseb said the campaign comes at a time when Namibia continues to witness fatal crashes that are leaving families and communities shattered.
“The B1 is much more than a national highway. It is the economic lifeline of Namibia. Yet this same corridor has become synonymous with unimaginable loss of life. The increasing frequency of serious crashes serves as a painful reminder that while the B1 connects our nation geographically, it must also unite us in our determination to make it safer,” he said.
The initiative was held under the theme “Safe Passage: Uniting B1 Communities Through Libraries,” and is spearheaded by the directorate of education, innovation, youth, sport, arts and culture in collaboration with the National Road Safety Council, Roads Authority, Road Fund Administration, Motor Vehicle Accident Fund, the Namibian Police and other stakeholders.
Following its launch in Otjiwarongo, the campaign will travel to Okahandja, Okakarara, Otavi and Grootfontein during the week.
The governor led a moment of silence before delivering the keynotes in memory of people who have lost their lives on Namibia’s roads, saying every fatal crash represents far more than a statistic.
“Behind every statistic published is a grieving family, an empty chair around the dinner table, a community left in mourning and a nation diminished by the loss of its people,” //Khamuseb said.
He stressed that road safety cannot be left solely to traffic authorities, saying every road user has a role to play in preventing crashes.
He added that while reckless driving remains one of the leading causes of accidents, the government must continue investing in safer roads through expanded sections of the B1, increased law enforcement, improved road markings, lighting and pedestrian facilities, as well as stronger public awareness campaigns.
“These measures are not merely investments in infrastructure, but they are investments in human life, economic resilience and national prosperity,” he said.
The governor also challenged young people to become champions of responsible road use, encouraging them to spread road safety messages in their schools, homes and communities by influencing their peers and reminding adults to drive responsibly.
“I challenge you to become ambassadors of road safety. Carry this message into your schools, your homes and your communities. Influence your peers. Remind your parents to buckle up. Encourage responsible driving. Be the generation that changes the narrative.”
He concluded by urging Namibians to work together to transform the B1 from a corridor remembered for tragedy into one recognised for safety, responsibility and opportunity.
“Every journey should end with a safe arrival. Every parent deserves to see their child return home. Every child deserves the opportunity to grow up. Every family deserves the joy of welcoming their loved ones back safely,” he said.
Providing the regional context behind the initiative, Otjozondjupa regional director of education Gerhard Ndafenongo said the campaign was prompted by the alarming number of crashes recorded along the B1 corridor this year.
“We must know that Otjozondjupa, especially our B1 corridor, has recorded over 240 motor vehicle accidents with nearly 60 fatalities since January 2026. The five major contributing factors remain speeding, driver’s fatigue, reckless driving, alcohol consumption and poor vehicle maintenance,” Ndafenongo said.
He recalled several fatal crashes that deeply affected the region, including the March accident outside Okahandja in which five people died, three of them teachers from schools in Otjozondjupa, and the May crash involving a kombi transporting patients that claimed 11 lives.
The director said the initiative distinguishes itself by using public libraries as centres for road safety education and community dialogue, allowing residents to access educational material while creating spaces for survivors to share their experiences.
He also appealed to members of the public to stop filming accident scenes and instead assist victims with dignity and compassion.
He also called for stricter enforcement of traffic laws, including the introduction of on-the-spot fines for speeding motorists, arguing that stronger penalties would help change driver behaviour and ultimately save lives.
