Govt allocates N$10m for sports fields in Kavango East
The government has allocated N$10 million for the construction of two basic sports fields in the Kavango East region, with the facilities earmarked for Divundu in the Mukwe Constituency and the Rundu Rural Constituency.
This was revealed during a groundbreaking ceremony in Divundu on Saturday, where Kavango East Governor Hamunyera Hambyuka described the investment as a decisive step toward empowering youth and strengthening grassroots sports development in rural communities.
Hambyuka said the construction of the sports fields is aimed at addressing long-standing infrastructure challenges that have limited opportunities for young people in the two constituencies.
“For years, the lack of adequate sports infrastructure has been a barrier to nurturing talent and promoting active lifestyles among our youth. Today, we take a bold step toward closing that gap,” he said.
Investment in community upliftment
Hambyuka emphasised that the initiative goes beyond simply building sports grounds, framing it as a strategic investment in community upliftment and socio-economic development.
According to the governor, structured sporting environments contribute positively to health outcomes, social cohesion and economic activity, while also creating safe spaces for youth engagement.
“These facilities will not only host matches and competitions, but will serve as hubs of social interaction, empowerment and opportunity,” said Hambyuka.
The governor linked the project to Namibia’s broader national development agenda under the Sixth National Development Plan (NDP6), the country’s blueprint toward achieving Vision 2030.
He said the plan recognises sports and recreation as important drivers of holistic development and community resilience.
Ensure timely delivery
Hambyuka also credited President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah for prioritising grassroots sports infrastructure as part of national development efforts.
“Sport is central to national development. By harnessing the energy and ambition of our youth through purposeful investment in sport, we strengthen the fabric of our communities and lay foundations for future national pride,” he said.
He further stressed the importance of transparency, accountability and adherence to quality standards in implementing the project, urging all stakeholders to work collaboratively to ensure timely delivery.
The construction contract has been awarded to the Roads Construction Company (RCC), which will oversee the development of the two facilities.
Speaking at the same event, RCC interim chief executive officer Dasius Nelumbu said the commencement of the project signals not only infrastructure development, but also employment and skills development opportunities for residents.
“Today marks the beginning of work that will create jobs and bring hope to the community,” said Nelumbu.
Job projection
He announced that the project is expected to generate approximately 45 jobs during the construction phase, with potential for additional employment depending on the scope of manual work required.
Nelumbu underscored RCC’s commitment to prioritising local labour, stating that tasks that can be done manually will be reserved for residents of the region.
“Work that can be done without machines will be done by the people of this region. Only work that requires machinery will be done by machines,” he said.
He added that RCC has partnered with local contractors and small and medium enterprises (SMEs) within Kavango East to ensure that the economic benefits of the project remain within the region.
Future infrastructure projects
According to Nelumbu, skills transfer will be a key component of the project, enabling local contractors and workers to build technical capacity for future infrastructure projects.
“No one is born an expert. Every expert was taught by someone. Through partnership and participation, we are building capacity so that in future, when larger facilities are constructed, local contractors will be ready,” he said.
He encouraged local SMEs not to be discouraged by a lack of experience, stressing that growth and expertise are developed through opportunity and mentorship.
Nelumbu assured regional leadership and the community that RCC is committed to delivering the project on time and within budget, while ensuring fair and equitable participation.
The two sports fields are expected to significantly improve access to structured sporting facilities in Divundu and Rundu Rural, providing young people with platforms to develop their talent and fostering stronger, more active communities in Kavango East.
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