Zambezi’s Development Failures Are Self-Inflicted, Not State-Driven
By TUW
Fundo Harris has placed responsibility for the Zambezi Region’s development challenges squarely on internal factors, including tribalism, poor leadership and local governance failures, rather than on neglect by the central government.
Harris states that if the Zambezi fails to progress, the cause lies primarily with its own people and leaders. He dismisses claims that the region is politically or economically oppressed, arguing that most senior political and administrative positions in the region since independence have been held by locals.
Harris refers to past and present secessionist sentiments in the region, stating that the government is treating the region special as they defend the calls for separation under freedom of expression, while similar demands raised in other parts of the country have been strongly condemned, referring to LPM president’s recent remark. He maintains that this inconsistency fuels confusion about national unity and constitutional limits.
According to him, internal ethnic divisions remain a major obstacle to development in the Zambezi. Harris claims that tensions between communities have not fully subsided and continue to influence political activity, including recent demonstrations that he describes as aligned along tribal lines.
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On infrastructure and public investment, Harris lists several projects implemented since independence, including the tarred Trans-Caprivi Highway, the Zambezi Bridge, the Katima–Ngoma road, expanded border infrastructure, electrification programmes and water pipelines serving traditional authority areas. He also points to the establishment of a university campus and a vocational training centre in Katima Mulilo as evidence of state investment.
“Regionally, and in terms of Capital projects govt has done well to the region. Before independence, the transcaprivi highway was gravel and today its tarred.
The Zambezi bridge was inaugurated in 2004 facilitating ease of travel and trade between Namibia and Zambia as well as other landlocked countries. The Katima-Ngoma road had only gravel road and today its tarred. The Ngoma bridge was also expanded to accommodate more vehicles. 95 percent of the region of electrified. The most north of the red line. There are tarred roads and water pipelines from Katima Mulilo to all the seats of our traditional authorities viz Chinchimani, Bukalo, Choi/Mayuni and Sangwali.” He posted.
He attributes the collapse or failure of several development initiatives, such as green schemes, aquaculture projects and the Katima waterfront development, to mismanagement by local authorities. Harris argues that these projects were overseen by residents of the region and not imposed by external groups.
“In some regions, other tribes have complained that Wambos dominate their regions at the expense of locals. Whether this is true or not, I have no clue. In the Zambezi and since independence our Governors, Mayors, CROs, CEOs, counsellors have all been Subias, Fwes, Yeyis, Totelas etc. Therefore we can’t blame other tribes for under developing our regions.” He state.
He further criticises long-serving regional and local leadership, stating that repeated elections of ineffective leaders have contributed to stagnation, while development funds have reportedly been returned to the national treasury due to a lack of viable projects.
Harris concludes by stating that the Zambezi is an integral part of Namibia and calls for accountability at local government level, asserting that the region’s challenges stem from internal governance failures rather than external interference.
