By Elezo Libanda
Katima Mulilo, 18 December 2024 – Zambezi residents are calling on the government to publicly release the findings of the Fifth Delimitation Commission, which they have been eagerly awaiting. Like other regions across Namibia, Zambezi residents have patiently waited for the commission’s findings, which were initially scheduled to be announced by the head of state. In April, President Hage Geingob had granted the commission three months to consult with Namibians across all fourteen regions, with the expectation that the results would be revealed before the recent Presidential and National Assembly elections.
The Fifth Delimitation Commission is responsible for determining the boundaries and names of regions, constituencies, and local authorities. The commission conducted regional consultations, facing pressure from residents and various pressure groups who submitted proposals aimed at aligning constituencies to better foster development and improve service delivery.
In Zambezi, several proposals were submitted, including the creation of a new region called Zambezi West and a constituency to be named Bwabwata. One of the key concerns raised by residents was the long distances they have to travel to reach constituency headquarters. For instance, Reagan Mikiti, a resident of Masida, complained that he had to travel to Linyanti Constituency to access services, despite Kongola Constituency being much closer to his village. Similarly, residents of Malengalenga, who fall under Linyanti Constituency, expressed frustration, as Lyabboloma is much closer but is not part of their constituency.
These complaints led residents to hope for constituency realignment before the recent elections to improve accessibility and service delivery. Political analysts and pressure groups have pointed out that the delay in releasing the findings may have impacted the recent elections, as the results could have shifted the political landscape in affected regions. With regional and local elections scheduled for next year, constituency and town boundaries could be adjusted to improve service delivery.
NDN spoke with Reagan Mikiti, who expressed disappointment with how the government has handled the release of the Fifth Delimitation Commission’s findings. Mikiti stated that he had hoped the results would be made public before the elections, allowing voters to make more informed decisions. The commission was chaired by Acting Judge Petrus Unengu, with commissioners Prisca Anyolo (an expert in law and traditional affairs governance), Gerhardt Gurirab (a historian and curator), and Penias Topnaar (a teacher) – Namibia Daily News
