03 Jul 2022

Residents in the Eastern side of Okavango River want the Okavango constituency to be divided into two, Okavango East and Okavango West.

The residents made the call during a delimitation commission consultative meeting on Thursday in Seronga.

The vastness of the Okavango constituency and bad terrain of the district were some of the reasons presented by the residents.

When submitting their arguments, village development committee (VDC) chairperson for Seronga, Mr Motsholathebe Maeze said that the eastern side of Okavango River was vast, stretching from Mohembo East settlement to Seshokora settlement and including some concession areas found in the Delta.

Mr Maeze also said Jao settlement was misplaced under Ngami Constituency and should, therefore, form part of the envisaged Okavango East constituency.

He said having an additional constituency would help bring developments closer to the eastern side of Okavango as lack of developments caused some people to shun working in the area.

A representative of Mogotho village development committee, Mr Moremi Ngundura pleaded that Okavango constituency be divided into two even though population may not meet the quota for a constituency.

Mr Ngundura argued that Okavango constituency was currently broad and that developments came at a slow pace.

He argued that the eastern side of Okavango River was richer in natural resources and tourism, saying being an independent constituency may help the area develop.

One of the attendants, Mr Sauqho Kotumwa supported that Okavango constituency be divided into two.

Mr Kotumwa said Okavango constituency had a total of 24 gazetted villages with about 14 of the villages found in the eastern side of Okavango River as well as some settlements on both sides.

As such, he said there was need to have an independent Okavango East and Okavango West.

He also argued that Jao settlement should form part of the Okavango constituency not Ngami.

Councillor for Seronga/Gunotsoga, Mr Boipuso Mangurunga implored the commission to consider factors such as the broadness of the constituency as well as the rich diverse cultures and co-existence between the people and wildlife.

In his welcome remarks, Kgosi Maeze Maeze of Seronga said the delimitation commission was long overdue.

He said the proposed Okavango East constituency was necessary as the eastern side of the Okavango River was vast and richer with natural resources.

Earlier on, the chairperson of the delimitation commission, Justice Mokwadi Gabanagae implored the residents to freely express their views since the commission would not be influenced by external factors.

Justice Gabanagae said apart from population, delimitation may be influenced by means of communication and geographical features. ENDS