Khorixas

Khorixas

Housing in Khorixas
Khorixas

Location in Namibia

Coordinates: 20°22′S 14°58′E / 20.367°S 14.967°E / -20.367; 14.967
Country  Namibia
Region Kunene Region
Constituency Khorixas Constituency
Government
 • Mayor Trypohasa Moloto[1]
 • Town Council CEO Nicodemus ǂGaeseb[2]
Population (2011)[3]
 • Total 6,796
Time zone South African Standard Time (UTC+1)
Climate BSh
Children in Khorixas

Khorixas is a town of 6,000 inhabitants in southern Kunene Region, Namibia. It was previously the capital of the Damaraland bantustan prior to Namibia's independence.[4] It is located in Khorixas Constituency. Most of the inhabitants are from the Damara ethnic group. The town is located near to an important deposit of petrified wood and the Twyfelfontein valley, known for its rock art.

The regional hospital and some other regional offices are still located in Khorixas, though the capital of Kunene Region is Opuwo. There are six schools and one branch of University of Namibia (UNAM) in Khorixas, Versteende Wood as the biggest primary school and Cornelius Goreseb High School is the biggest secondary school. Other schools are: Eddie Bowe, Welwitchia Primary School, Welwitchia Secondary School and Th. F. ǃGaeb

Economics

Khorixas suffers from a lack of economic development and employment opportunities, which leads to frustration and outward migration among many of the town's youth.[5] The unemployment rate in town is estimated to be around 70%. Donkerhoek (Afrikaans: dark corner), the town's informal settlement, has neither water nor electricity.[2]

Politics

Khorixas is governed by a town council that currently has seven seats.[6]

In February 2004, Mayor Gerson ǀGoagoseb and two other town councillors were dismissed from their positions by their party, the United Democratic Front, a day after a government audit began on the town's financial dealings.[7] In May 2005, UDF removed Marta Claasen as mayor following internal council elections in which she collaborated with SWAPO councillors in order for her to obtain the position of mayor. She was expelled from the party and replaced on the council by Efraim Gariseb. UDF had four seats on the local council and SWAPO had three. Immanuel ǁGaroeb, also of UDF, became acting mayor. Claasen later claimed that she was replaced because of her stance on corruption and mismanagement.[8]

Local authority results, 2010

In the 2010 local authority election, a total of 2,788 votes were cast in the town. UDF won with approximately 58% of the vote. Of the two other parties seeking votes in the election, SWAPO received approximately 39% of the vote, followed by RDP (2%).[9]

Geography

Climate

Khorixas has a semi-arid climate (BSh, according to the Köppen climate classification), with warm to hot summers and mild winters. It borders on a desert climate (BWh). The average annual precipitation is 233 mm (9 in).

Khorixas
Climate chart (explanation)
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Average max. and min. temperatures in °C
Precipitation totals in mm
Source: World Climate Guide

Sport

The Robber Chanties, which in August 2010 played in the Northern Stream Division One and sought promotion the Namibia Premier League, are based in Khorixas.[10]

References

  1. ↑ Miyanicwe, Clemans (28 November 2012). "Khorixas elects young mayor". The Namibian. Archived from the original on 21 February 2013.
  2. 1 2 Kapitako, Alvine (24 April 2015). "Jobs simply scarce in Khorixas". New Era. p. 6.
  3. ↑ "Table 4.2.2 Urban population by Census years (2001 and 2011)" (PDF). Namibia 2011 - Population and Housing Census Main Report. Namibia Statistics Agency. p. 39. Retrieved 24 August 2016.
  4. ↑ Khorixas Journal; For Apartheid's Castaways, Heartbreak in Desert New York Times, July 7, 1989
  5. ↑ Khorixas: A town on a downward spiral The Namibian, 10 August 2009
  6. ↑ "Know Your Local Authority". Election Watch (3). Institute for Public Policy Research. 2015. p. 4.
  7. ↑ Khorixas Mayor ousted The Namibian, 5 February 2004
  8. ↑ UDF fires mayor at Khorixas The Namibian, 30 May 2005
  9. ↑ Local Authority Election Results for Khorixas
  10. ↑ Chanties cry foul over unwanted whistle blower New Era, 5 August 2010

Coordinates: 20°22′S 14°58′E / 20.367°S 14.967°E / -20.367; 14.967

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