Kavango East

Kavango East is one of the fourteen regions of Namibia. Its capital is Rundu, its governor is Bonifatius Wakudumo. The Region was created in 2013 when the Kavango Region was split into Kavango East and Kavango West. The only self-governed settlements in Kavango East are the capital Rundu and the village of Divundu.

Kavango East
Region
The Kavango East Region (red) in Namibia
The Kavango East Region (red) in Namibia
CountryNamibia
SeatRundu
Government
 • GovernorBonifatius Wakudumo[1] (SWAPO)
Time zoneSouth African Standard Time: UTC+2

The region contains the western half of the Caprivi Strip. In the north, Kavango East borders the Cuando Cubango Province of Angola, and in the south and southeast the North-West District of Botswana. Domestically, it borders the following regions:

Because of its rather high rainfall compared to most other parts of Namibia and its location on the Kavango River after which it was named, this region has agricultural potential for the cultivation of a variety of crops, as well as for organised forestry and agro-forestry, which stimulates furniture making and related industries. Kavango East and its sister region Kavango West are nevertheless the poorest regions in Namibia.[2]

Politics

The Fourth Delimitation Commission of Namibia, responsible for recommending on the country's administrative divisions suggested in August 2013 to split the Kavango Region into two. Then-president Hifikepunye Pohamba enacted the recommendations. As a result, two new regions of Kavango East and Kavango West were created.[3] As of 2020, Kavango East had 80,450 registered voters.[4]

Administrative division

The region is subdivided into six electoral constituencies:[5][3]

In the 2015 regional elections SWAPO won in all six constituencies[6] and obtained 79% (2010: 73%) of all votes.[4] In the 2020 regional election SWAPO was still the strongest party but its support dropped to 62% of the popular vote, and it lost Rundu Rural to an independent candidate.[4]

Governors
  1. Samuel Mbambo (2013–2020)[5][7]
  2. Bonifatius Wakudumo (2020–present)[1]

Transport

There is a particular dearth of north-south roads in the Region, apart from the Rundu-Grootfontein main road. Rundu has a small airstrip to accommodate medium-sized tourist or cargo aircraft in daylight only. The poor condition of the roads and the long distances had a negative effect on tourism; this situation was improved by the completion of the Trans–Caprivi Highway. A major highway connecting Rundu to western Kavango and the Ohangwena Region is under construction.

References
  1. "Goodbye". Namibian Sun. 10 April 2020. p. 1.
  2. Kandjimi, Shoki (5 November 2020). "Kavango East not a poor region - governor". New Era. p. 1.
  3. Nakale, Albertina (9 August 2013). "President divides Kavango into two". New Era. allafrica.com. Archived from the original on 22 October 2014. Retrieved 16 August 2013.
  4. "Regional Council 2020 Election Results". Interactive map. Electoral Commission of Namibia. 18 January 2021. Archived from the original on 12 June 2021. Retrieved 11 May 2021.
  5. Haufiku, Mathias (22 August 2013). "Kavango awaits second governor". New Era. Archived from the original on 31 August 2013.
  6. "Regional Council Election Results 2015". Electoral Commission of Namibia. 3 December 2015. p. 6. Archived from the original on 8 December 2015.
  7. "President announces governors". The Namibian. 10 April 2015. Archived from the original on 14 April 2015. Retrieved 14 April 2015.
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18°20′S 20°35′E

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