Eenhana

Eenhana
Eenhana

Location in Namibia

Coordinates: 17°27′57″S 16°20′13″E / 17.46583°S 16.33694°ECoordinates: 17°27′57″S 16°20′13″E / 17.46583°S 16.33694°E
Country  Namibia
Region Ohangwena Region
Government
 • Mayor Julia Shikongo
 • Town Council CEO Walde Ndevashiya
Population (2011)[1]
 • Total 5,528
Climate Cwa

Eenhana is the capital town of the Ohangwena Region, northern Namibia, on the border with Angola. Before Namibian independence it was a military centre of the South African Defence Force without public infrastructure. It was proclaimed a settlement in 1992, and a town in 1999. The name of the Eenhana comes from the word calves in Oshikwanyama and is a reference to the calves that used to water at the small water pan where Eenhana is now located.[2]

Eenhana is situated in tropical forest. It is connected to the road network and has a well-developed infrastructure. Due to the proximity of Angola, many businesses are situated here. The town hosts a trade fair every year.

Eenhana is the location of at least five mass graves of People's Liberation Army of Namibia (PLAN) guerrillas killed by South African forces during the Namibian War of Independence.[3] In 2008 the government built the Eenhana Memorial Shrine for those people which is situated on the northern part of the town.

Trade

The town attempts to attract businesses to the town through business exhibitions, small and medium enterprises and tourism activities. Eenhana Town Council hosts an annual trade fair since 2008.[4] It is investing into marketing activities directed at investors and is assisting business development by developing open markets and providing business skills.[5]

Education

Eenhana is the home to six schools, three primary, one special school and two secondary: Eenhana Primary School, Paulus Hamuntenya Primary School, Haimbili Haufiku Senior Secondary School, Usko Nghaamwa Special School, Eenhana Junior Secondary School and the new created Nanhapo Primary School. Other education institutions include the University of Namibia's Centre for External Studies, Tate Institute of Technology, Glowdom Education Foundation, NAMCOL Centre and the Eenhana Vocational Training Centre.

Tourism

The Eenhana Memorial Shrine[6] was opened in 2007 during a ceremony with President Hifikepunye Pohamba. It was built by China State Construction Engineering Corp at a cost of N$ 5 million and commemorates the "women and men who sacrificed their lives for the freedom of the country; who died while liberating Namibia from colonialism".[7] In January 2011, it was called a "white elephant" by the state-run New Era newspaper due to a lack of interest by tourists.[7] The site curator at the site noted that the National Heritage Council of Namibia has done less to advertise the site well.

Eenhana is however connected to one of the prominent tourism route; the extension of the Trans-Caprivi Highway which passes through the town connecting Eenhana to Rundu, Katima Mulilo and Victoria Falls/Livingstone in the east and to Ruacana and Epupa falls on the west via Okalongo Outapi road. Other attractions include the Oukwanyama Kingdom and King Mandume Museum at Omhedi, a Community Conservancy at Omauni in the Okongo District as well as the Ondeshifiilwa Memorial site.

Twin town

References

  1. ↑ "Table 4.2.2 Urban population by Census years (2001 and 2011)". Namibia 2011 - Population and Housing Census Main Report. Namibia Statistics Agency. p. 39. Retrieved 10 September 2013.
  2. ↑ Eenhama Town Council About us
  3. ↑ Biles, Peter (13 January 2006). "Unearthing the past in Namibia". BBC.
  4. ↑ "SBN supports Eenhana Trade and Business Expo". Die Republikein. 8 June 2010.
  5. ↑ Heita, Desie (8 April 2009). "Eenhana on Massive Marketing Drive". New Era. Retrieved 28 Sep 2010.
  6. ↑ "National Heritage Council of Namibia"
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 Shrine unknown New Era, 24 January 2011

External links