# Opuwo

Opuwo is the capital of the Kunene Region in north-western Namibia. The town is situated about 720 km north-northwest of the capital Windhoek, and has a population of around 12,300 (2023). It is the commercial hub of the Kunene Region.

## Economy and infrastructure

Opuwo is situated at the intersection of the C41 and C43. There is a small airfield in town, the Opuwo Airport.
Putuavanga Senior Secondary School in town is among the best government schools in the Kunene Region. There is also the Opuwo Primary School with 39 teachers and 1,200 learners.
The following organizations and offices are situated in the town: Opuwo Police Station, Opuwo District Hospital, Ministry of Home Affairs (Department of Civic Affairs / Regional Civic Registration Office / Kunene Region) and Opuwo Department of Works. There is a Christian church.

## Politics

Opuwo is governed by a town council that has seven seats.

## Electoral history

2020 local authority election :
| Party | Votes | Seats |
| Popular Democratic Movement | 1376 | 4 |
| SWAPO | 1127 | 3 |
| National Unity Democratic Organisation | 128 | 0 |
| Independent Patriots for Change | 120 | 0 |
| Rally for Democracy and Progress | 46 | 0 |
| Namibian Economic Freedom Fighters | 15 | 0 |
2015 local authority election :
| Party | Votes | Seats |
| Democratic Turnhalle Alliance | 1504 | 3 |
| National Unity Democratic Organisation | 155 | 0 |
| Rally for Democracy and Progress | 44 | 0 |
2004 local authority election :
| Party | Votes | Seats |
| Democratic Turnhalle Alliance | 538 | 2 |
| Congress of Democrats | 396 | 2 |
| National Unity Democratic Organisation | 259 | 1 |
Mayors :
| Name | Term | Party |
| Uaurikua Kakuva | June 2004 – 2010 | DTA |
| Pieter de Villiers | June 2006-? | CoD |
| Tuarungua Kavari | 2010-15 | SWAPO |
| Albert Tjiuma | December 2015 - December 2020 | SWAPO |
| Rosa Mbinge-Tjeundo | December 2020 - Current | PDM |

## History
### Etymology

The name Opuwo was given in the 1920s by the commissioner of Ondangwa, Carl Hugo Linsingen Hahn [de], the grandson of Carl Hugo Hahn, who came in search of land to build an office. Upon his arrival, he asked the local headman to give him land where he could build an office. The headman gave him a small plot, and when the headman tried to give him more land, Hahn responded saying "Ohopoho (it’s enough for me). I don't want any more land". The word Ohopoho was changed to Opuwo in 1974 due to orthographic reform. The local residents of Opuwo called it Otjihinamaparero at the time, and some still call it that.

### Colonial administration

The first office to be established in the Kaokoland area was the colonial administrative office in Swartbooisdrift on the banks of the Kunene River. This was the administrative centre of the area from 1925 to 1939. Afterwards, administrative control of the area shifted to Ohopoho, later called Opuwo.
The police station in Swartbooisdrift was run by Sergeant Herbert, and his aim was to receive the Angola Boers who had trekked to Angola out of refusal to accept the British government in South Africa. Sergeant Basson took over the office at Swartbooisdrift, and excavated Opuwo's first bore hole. Basson had the nickname “Katjiriamakaja” (a person who eats tobacco).

## Culture

The Opuwo Town Council hosts the annual Opuwo Trade Fair, which was launched in 2012. The festival combines a modern business exhibition with cultural performances, live shows and entertainment. The Opuwo Trade Fair takes place in the month of May.