Africa-Press – Namibia. Kunene’s newly appointed regional governor, Vipuakuje Muharukua (VM), has revealed an ambitious plan to make the region Namibia’s richest. In this exclusive interview with New Era journalist Lahja Nashuuta (LN), Muharukua shares his strategies for youth employment, agriculture, mining and infrastructure development.
LN: When you assumed office, one of your first actions was to hold public consultation meetings. What prompted this?
VM: Thank you. My immediate priority was flood mitigation. People were going hungry, and the usual bureaucratic channels weren’t enough. We decided from the start: no business as usual. Service, to me,, means quality service that aligns with the President’s directives. We even airlifted food to those in need. Once urgent needs were met, we consulted unemployed youth to create a comprehensive regional database. This allows the labour office and investors to employ locals fairly and efficiently. I also want to acknowledge Zongmei Group, which is constructing the Khorixas-Kamanjab Road, and Otesa, working on the Epupa Road. Both are employing locals, which is exactly what we need. My message to all companies operating in Kunene is this: when you receive tenders, prioritise local participation. Wealth in the region should benefit the people who live here. Even though Kunene is rich in natural resources, many residents remain among the poorest in the country. Grassroots poverty and hunger are urgent issues. For instance, Opuwo Town Council employs outsiders for projects like dam construction, while local unemployed people remain sidelined. That must change.
LN: Youth unemployment is a pressing challenge. How are you addressing it?
VM: The situation is truly concerning. In our consultations, we discovered that Opuwo has about 750 unemployed youth, Epupa 470, Kamanjab 470, and Khorixas 400.
We are actively engaging investors to accelerate employment opportunities. And we’re not just creating jobs; we’re building quality positions that offer skills development, growth, and a real boost for young people. We are also helping youth start companies so they can subcontract and eventually bid independently.
In Khorixas, for instance, only 25 companies are registered, and in Kamanjab fewer than 10. Communities of thousands cannot survive with such limited business activity. Unlike politicians who only talk about local employment, we are taking action and providing support.
Over the next five years, we plan to establish mineral processing facilities, including a polishing factory in Khorixas, in collaboration with the Ministry of Mines, Energy and Industries. We will also advocate for corporate social responsibility agreements with mining companies to ensure skills transfer and local participation. Mining is profitable, but without proper engagement, locals gain nothing.
LN: Agriculture also seems central to your strategy.
VM: Absolutely. Agriculture can transform livelihoods. We aim to modernise farming, teach innovative techniques, and rebuild livestock populations devastated by drought. In Kunene North, cattle dropped from 580 000 in 2019 to just 70 000, a 90% loss. That is catastrophic.
Dams like Baynes and Oute, with irrigation canals, can prevent such losses in future droughts. We also plan to exploit fertile land around Fransfontein to expand agriculture. Currently, many young people leave Kunene to work in //Kharas during the grape season. Our land is sometimes more fertile than // Kharas, and we want to create opportunities locally so people can work here without leaving home.
LN: How do mining and infrastructure tie into this vision?
VM: They are interconnected. Mining creates wealth, but without local employment, skills transfer, and infrastructure, the community misses out on benefits. Roads, especially to Cape Fria, are essential.
Kunene has some of the country’s richest copper deposits, but due to a lack of roads and a railway, we operate on a very small scale. Improving infrastructure will unlock mining potential, attract investors, and generate jobs. We invite Namibian investors to contact our office directly to explore investment opportunities.
LN: How are you managing disputes among traditional authorities, which could hinder development?
VM: Traditional authority disputes are widespread, affecting nearly every constituency. We have given authorities until mid-August to resolve conflicts. Beyond that, the government will proceed with development regardless of disputes.
I personally investigate and validate traditional authorities before signing documents to ensure legitimacy. I provide detailed reports to the relevant ministry explaining why I signed one and not another. This approach safeguards development while respecting governance structures.
LN: How do mining and agricultural initiatives translate into employment and empowerment?
VM: Employment and empowerment stem from the combination of mining, agriculture, and business development. Mining alone provides wealth, but without local employment or skills transfer, the community remains poor. Agriculture employs the majority and restores lost wealth. Infrastructure ensures connectivity, supporting both sectors.
Over the next five years, our goals are to create sustainable employment opportunities, grow businesses, and restore livestock herds. We aim to transform Kunene’s resource wealth into human prosperity, ensuring that locals benefit directly from the region’s potential.
LN: How do you view Kunene’s potential over the next five years?
VM: Kunene is a region of possibilities. Rich in resources but lacking in human capital, our mandate is to convert these opportunities into tangible benefits – jobs, skills, businesses, and infrastructure. With proactive governance, community consultation, and investor engagement, I am confident that we can transform Kunene into Namibia’s most prosperous region.
LN: What specific projects are underway to achieve this vision?
VM: Key initiatives include creating databases of unemployed youth across all constituencies, assisting locals in forming companies to access tenders and receive skills transfer , as well as establishing a mineral polishing factory in Khorixas. We will continue to engage mining companies for local participation and corporate social responsibility, as well as develop water infrastructure, including catchment and agricultural dams.
Besides that, we will also exploit fertile land around Fransfontein for modernised agriculture as well expanding infrastructure, particularly roads to Cape Frio, to support trade and mining.
LN: Any final message to investors and the community?
VM: I encourage Namibian investors to contact our office. Together, we can craft investment paths that generate employment, develop skills, and unlock Kunene’s full potential. Developing Cape Frio infrastructure is essential for northern development. With commitment, collaboration, and decisive action, Kunene can become Namibia’s most prosperous region, not just in terms of resources, but also in opportunities for its people.
Source: neweralive
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