Millennium Challenge account Namibia Fact Sheet Kunene Region Poverty reduction through economic growth
Foreword About MCA Namibia The Government of the Republic of Namibia and the U.S. Government signed a grant funding agreement, the Millennium Challenge Account Namibia (MCA-N) Compact to the value of US$ 304.5 million (N$ 3 billion) on 28 July 2008. The five-year implementation period for projects in the education, agriculture and tourism sectors commenced on 16 September 2009 and will end on 15 September 2014. The Compact is funded by the United States Government through the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) and aims to reduce poverty through economic growth by increasing the competence of the Namibian workforce, improving access to quality education as well as increasing productivity of agriculture and tourism enterprises in communal areas. MCA-N is the programme implementing unit under the National Planning Commission (NPC) and cooperates closely with Government beneficiary sector ministries and agencies, namely the Ministry of Education (MoE), Ministry of Agriculture, Water and Forestry (MAWF), Ministry of Lands and Resettlement (MLR), Ministry of Environment and Tourism (MET), Namibia Tourism Board (NTB) and the Namibia Training Authority (NTA). MCA-N has adopted a results and business-oriented approach to successfully execute all project activities within the prescribed implementation period. May 2014
Education Project Improving the Quality of Education Textbooks To improve the learner:textbook ratio and increase the efficiency in textbook procurement and delivery, thereby improving the potential for higher learner performance. In 2010, 50 schools in Kunene Region received 19,670 English, Mathematics, and Science textbooks for grade 5-12 learners, another 1,667 books were delivered to 11 schools in 2012, while 23,586 textbooks were procured in 2014 for schools in the region to the combined value of approximately N$ 3.77 million. Other schools that have not received books either have lower grades or did not order. Other support provided by MCA-N under this Activity is a new cloud-based Management Information System (MIS) for Learning Support Material (LSM), including textbook provision. This MIS will significantly reduce the time between ordering and delivery of textbooks to schools. Every school in the country with electricity will be linked to the textbook procurement system. The LSM MIS was launched in March 2014. For Kunene Region learners, this means receiving books well in time and in sufficient quantity to aid their learning. Textbooks procured by MCA-N presented by Education Minister David Namwandi and MCA-N CEO Penny Akwenye at a warehouse in Windhoek. 1
Education Project Improving the Quality of Education Continuous Professional Development (CPD) To offer opportunities to teachers, teacher educators, education managers and inspectors, principals and subject advisors as well as HIV/AIDS coordinators to continuously upgrade their skills in order to improve overall quality of education. MCA Namibia is supporting the University of Namibia (UNAM) in establishing a national Continuous Professional Development (CPD) Unit through a grant agreement valued at N$ 14.4 million. Simultaneously, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on the joint coordination and future CPD financing was signed between the Ministry of Education (MoE) and UNAM. Early training and capacity development focused on textbook management and utilization training, HIV/AIDS prevention and management, instructional leadership as well as general school management and administration. Further training will be provided in general health and hygiene management. Master Trainers trained in the above mentioned fields are training relevant teachers in the regions until June 2014. Kunene Region has a CPD Coordinating Committee and learners will ultimately benefit from better skilled teachers and education managers. CPD Forum 2012 in Windhoek. 2
Education Project Improving the Quality of Education Expanding & Renovating up to 47 Schools To address poor quality of school infrastructure and equipment and reduce overcrowding in classrooms in order to create an improved learning environment for both learners and teachers and to help attract well qualified teachers to remote areas. As per needs assessment, MCA-N together with the Ministry of Education (MoE) identified 47 schools nationwide that received additional classrooms, science laboratories, computer rooms, libraries, administration blocks, ablution facilities and teacher housing. In Kunene Region, MCA Namibia upgraded, renovated and equipped Jack Francis Junior Secondary School to the value of approximately N$ 15 million. Jack Francis JSS received the following equipment: Chairs & Desks for Learners 432 Teacher Chairs & Tables 12 Learner Laptops 35 ICT Teacher Laptops 2 Desktop Computers 5 LCD Projectors 2 Network Printers 3 Steel Filing Cabinets 6 Repaired Furniture 370 Learner Laptop Learners at Jack Francis JSS now enjoy additional and improved facilities as well as equipment, improving their potential to learn and perform academically. Renovated Jack Francis JSS. New chairs for a better learning environment. 3
Education Project Improving the Quality of Education Vocational Education and Skills Training To alleviate skills constraints to enterprise growth and productivity and help ensure that disadvantaged and vulnerable groups, school leavers and adult learners acquire competencies needed for gainful employment and income-earning opportunities. Together with the Namibia Training Authority (NTA) grant agreements to the value of N$ 48 million were signed with 10 service providers to train more than 1,800 Namibians in high priority fields countrywide. MCA-N renovated and upgraded the Opuwo Community Skills Development Centre (COSDEC) for N$ 6 million. Among the funded equipment is furniture, tools and 22 new computers. The Opuwo COSDEC has an annual intake of 40 trainees and offers courses in Office Administration, Plumbing and Food Preparation. The training of 40 National Heritage Council (NHC) tour guides were co-funded through a grant valued N$ 1.9 million. The graduates were employed as tour guides at the National Heritage sites of Twyfelfontein, Brandberg and Petrified Forest. Young people in Kunene Region now have better vocational training facilities in which to obtain skills that are needed in the Namibian economy, thus making them more employable. Upgraded Opuwo COSDEC All tour guide graduates are now employed with NHC. 4
Agriculture Project Enhancing Sustainable Use of Resources Livestock Support Traceability To establish a traceability system for food safety purposes, in line with government and trade regulations to document health status, reproductive history and movement of livestock in the Northern Communal Areas (NCAs) in order to meet globally accepted meat product requirements. MCA-N procured 1.75 million ear tags (visual and electronic) for the Namibian Livestock Identification and Traceability System (NamLITS), computer software and hardware as well as Radio Frequency Identification Device (RFID) and Bar Code Readers for the Directory of Veterinary Services (DVS) staff to tag all cattle in the NCAs. 265,000 ear tags were made available by MCA-N and 30,000 by government for the region, where 150,000 cattle were tagged. Out of the total budget for traceability, Kunene Region received at least N$ 6 million. The successful implementation of the traceability system allows Kunene farmers to comply with animal health regulations, making it easier to market cattle, thus resulting in more profitable economic activity and higher income for livestock farmers. MCA-N funded ear tags contain all information about the cattle. 5
Omahene Ruacana 9 Etanga XlV XV 1 Opuwo XX Orotjitombo Omusati Omusati Orupembe XVl 2 Purros XVll 7 4 Sesfontein 5 XVlll Eto XlV Warmquelle Galton Gate 8 3 Kunene Kunene K 13 6 12 11 POVERTY RATE BY REGION (%) 5.1-10.5 10.6-21.5 21.6-32.0 32.1-42.5 42.6-53.5 14
MCA-N Intervention Map Kunene Region ene EDUCATION Oshikango Quality of General Education 47 Schools Textbooks Delivery Ohangwena Ohangwena None delivered Delivered Vocational and Skills Training COSDECs TOURISM Improving Etosha Management and Infrastructure ENP Gates ENP Staff Village Oshikoto Oshana Oshana Oshikoto Marketing Namibia in Tourism Arid Eden Tourist Route King Nehale Gate Conservancy Development Support Services Supported Conservancies osha National Park 1 Orupembe 17 Sheya Shuushona 2 Sanitatas 18 King Nehale 3 Ehirovipuka 19 Kasika 4 Omatendeka 20 Muduva Nyangana 5 Sesfontein 21 George Mukoya 6 Torra 22 Nyae Nyae 7 Puros 23 N#a-Jaqna 8 Anabeb 24 Kwando 9 10 Ombika Gate Marienfluss 25 Mayuni Uukolonkadhi Ruacana 26 Mashi 11 Doro nawas1, Doro nawas2 27 Wuparo 12 Uibasen Twyfelfontein 28 Balyerwa 13 Khoadi Hoas 29 Sikunga 14 Sorris Sorris 30 Impalila 16 Uukwaluudhi 31 Salambala AGRICULTURE Community Based Rangeland and Livestock Management Kamanjab Rangeland Intervention Areas Outjo Khorixas l ll lll lv V Vl Vll Vlll lv X Ongandjera Community Fore Oshiku Shithilonde East Uukwaluudhi North Okaulukwa King Nehale Onkumbula Epembe Kahenge Kaguni West George Mukoya Xl Xll Xll XlV XV XVl XVll XVlll XlV XX Kapinga Kamwalye East Ambrosius Haingura Satotwa Ombazu Ombombo-Masitu Otjombande Orupupa Ehirovipuka Ehirovipuka Otjindjeresse Livestock Support Veterinary Cordon fence Indigenous Natural Products (Supported PPO's) Commiphora Commiphora & Sarcocaulon Devil s Claw 50 Commiphora & Mopane Mopane Otjozondjupa Otjozondjupa 25 0 Kilometers MAP PRODUCED BY: LIDWALA CONSULTING ENGINEERS MAP PREPARED BY: Katie Sassenberg UPDATED : 2014-04-15 FILE NAME: Kunene.mxd 50
Agriculture Project Enhancing Sustainable Use of Resources Community-Based Rangeland and Livestock Management (CBRLM) To assist communal farmers to improve their rangeland and livestock productivity, mainly through training and guidance on best practices. Kunene Region Grazing Areas (GAs) at Ohengaipuire, Orungu/Ohangoma, Outokotorua, Ondunduombapa, Otjombande, Okanandjira, Palmfontein/Otjomitjira, Otjihungu, Otjijarua, Omisema, Ovivero, Ejara, Ourunduwozombara, and Omatjandja were supported in rangeland management, animal husbandry, marketing, community development and water infrastructure amounting to approximately N$ 32 million. Livestock Assistants were trained for each GA and all GAs received animal husbandry toolkits containing dehorning irons, bull nose holders, hoof trimmers, ear-tag applicators, syringes, surgical scalpels and other veterinary equipment. Twelve Kunene communities participating in Community-Based Rangeland and Livestock Management (CBRLM) received 47 bulls to improve their livestock breed. These activities result in better productivity of Kunene farmers livestock and protect communal land from overgrazing and related degradation. Animal husbandry toolkit Waterpoints that can cater for large cattle herds are essential for CBRLM. 8
Agriculture Project Enhancing Sustainable Use of Resources Livestock Market Efficiency Fund (LMEF) To improve livestock incomes in the Northern Communal Areas (NCAs) through the removal of barriers to markets, e.g. through cost reduction and alleviation of challenges related to the lack of the region s animal disease free status. Grants to the value of N$ 3 million were provided to undertake research in Animal Health & Nutrition. Research on animal health is important to improve marketability. Kunene livestock farmers now have access to more information resulting in the implementation of animal husbandry best practices that lead to increased marketing opportunities. Communal Land Support To empower residents and landholders at village level to actively and effectively participate in the use and management of their land resources in the Northern Communal Areas (NCAs) and to improve the administration as well as management of communal land. MCA-N supported the Ministry of Lands and Resettlement (MLR) in Kunene Region to the approximate value of N$ 6 million for 29 community meetings and outreach events as well as for four trainings of traditional leaders and one Communal Land Board (CLB) training, so they understand the Communal Land Reform Act of 2002 better, thus enabling them to effectively implement its provisions. Presentation of CLS information material in 7 local languages. With these interventions, residents and landholders of Kunene Region are empowered to actively and effectively participate in the use and management of communal land. 9
Agriculture Project Enhancing Sustainable Use of Resources Indigenous Natural Products (INPs) To increase the income of harvesters and producers of Indigenous Natural Products (INPs) by capacitating Producer and Processor Organizations (PPOs) to improve INP production and processing and by training harvesters in sustainable practices. In Kunene Region, MCA-N has signed PPO Service Agreements with Marienfluss, Orupembe, Sanitatas, Okondjombo, Puros, Anabeb, Orupupa, Otjiu West, Opuwo Processing Facility, Otuzemba, Ombazu, Okongoro, Ombombo Masitu and Ehirovipuka conservancies, all involved in commiphora, mopane and devil s claw harvesting. They benefitted from training, capacity building and equipment to the approximate value of N$ 12 million. An oil distillation facility and visitor centre at Opuwo, constructed with MCA-N support, has generated full-time employment for four community members. The PPOs and about 400 harvesters in Kunene Region are now well positioned to harvest INPs more sustainably, process them more effectively and trade their products more profitably. Himba harvesters during training. Workers distilling oil at the new Opuwo Oil Processing Facility. Oil products on display. 10
Tourism Project Growing the Tourism Industry Eco-Tourism Development for Communal Conservancies To enhance the capacity of communal conservancies to manage the resources entrusted to them while attracting tourists, thus increasing their incomes and that of their members. Thirteen conservancies in Kunene Region received N$ 44.6 million worth of Conservancy Development Support Grant Fund (CDSGF) support, which includes funds for human-wildlife mitigation projects and joint ventures, amongst others. Training and technical assistance was delivered to the Orupembe, Sanitatas, Ehirovipuka, Ometendeka, Sesfontein, Tora, Puros, Anabeb, Marienfluss, Doro!Nawas, Uibasen, Kohadi #Hoas and Sorris Sorris conservancies in the themes of Governance and Institutional Development, Natural Recourses, Business and Tourism. These activities have improved Kunene Region s tourism potential and encourages collaboration between conservancies and the private sector to achieve development objectives, e.g. through the establishment of Joint Venture (JV) lodges, craft centers and campsites. Newly constructed chalet at Grootberg Lodge (one of MCA-N s Joint Venture lodges). Kohadi#Hoas conservancy members discussing event book performance. 11
Tourism Project Growing the Tourism Industry Marketing of Namibia in Tourism To increase international awareness of Namibia as a premier destination for tourists, translating in increased tourist numbers and growth of the Namibian tourism sector with all its accompanying benefits such as increased employment. Marketing efforts through the Namibian Tourism Board (NTB) improved through training and the development of a new interactive website for NTB, which received numerous awards. NTB also received two vehicles, computers, laptops, a printer and a projector. As part of the media campaign under MCA-N s North American Destination Marketing Campaign, journalists from North America were sourced to visit Namibia and write stories that appeared in high profile, widely read publications. MCA-N rendered support to Team Destination Namibia during the Adventure Travel World Summit (ATWS) preparation under the theme, A Summit Never to Be Forgotten. In August 2013, a very successful GoBiGNamibia online campaign was implemented through international bloggers and well-known Namibian artist Ees told the Namibian story through their blogs, lenses and experiences. The campaign was initiated to position Namibia as an adventure destination ahead of the ATWS and generated a wealth of new photographs and written content for the NTB. These efforts will attract more visitors to Namibia, reaping economic benefits that extend to Kunene Region. Tourism marketing campaign with local artist Ees. 12
Tourism Project Growing the Tourism Industry Development & Marketing of Local and Regional Tourism Routes To diversify tourism products in Namibia, specifically by directing tourists to undiscovered rural areas. MCA-N supported the Namibia Tourism Board (NTB) in developing 3 new domestic travel routes named Arid Eden, Four Rivers and Omulunga Palm. These tourism routes will provide compelling reasons for tourists to get off the beaten track, further unlocking opportunities for tourism enterprises, including those located in the Kunene Region through which the Arid Eden Route runs. 13
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