Ohangwena, Germany's Salzland District Revive Historic Ties with Cooperation Agreement

The Ohangwena region in Namibia and Germany's Salzland district have signed a cooperation agreement to revive historic ties dating back to the 1980s. Nearly 400 Namibian children who studied in the former East Germany during the liberation struggle could become part of a renewed connection between the two regions. The agreement focuses on creating opportunities for young people through education, vocational training, and exchanges.

The historical link between the two regions dates back to the 1980s, when approximately 400 Namibian children and young people studied in the Staßfurt area of the former East Germany. Many of those who returned to Namibia are now living in Ohangwena. The renewed partnership follows an initiative by Ohangwena governor Kadiva Hamutumwa, who approached the German district in 2025.

The agreement was signed by Salzland district administrator Markus Bauer, Hamutumwa, and Eenhana mayor Omri-Onn Kavandje, alongside Namibia's honorary consul in Germany Andreas Konietschke, Salzlandsparkasse chief executive Hans-Michael Strube, and Gymnasium Stephaneum director and principal Axel Wieczorek. The signing ceremony marked the beginning of a new era of cooperation between the two regions.

The proposed areas of cooperation include technical and vocational education and training, student exchanges, curriculum development, water resource management, and infrastructure maintenance. The German delegation visited several education institutions during its stay, including Eenhana Vocational Training Centre, Usko Nghaama Special School, and Sakaria Shikudule Secondary School.

The German delegation also visited water and sanitation infrastructure, NIDA warehouses at Oshikango, border facilities, and agricultural projects in Okongo. The visits aimed to identify areas of cooperation and potential projects that could be implemented under the agreement. The delegation's visit was facilitated by Namibia's honorary consul in Germany, Andreas Konietschke.

Ohangwena governor Kadiva Hamutumwa said discussions leading to the agreement began about nine months ago through virtual engagements facilitated by Konietschke. She emphasized that the region wants the partnership to move beyond the signing ceremony and produce practical results. The Office of the Ohangwena Governor will coordinate the regional implementation, while Eenhana Town Council will facilitate local initiatives and engagement with stakeholders.

The cooperation agreement between Ohangwena and Salzland district is expected to yield tangible results, with projects requiring financial commitments to be covered by separate agreements. The partnership aims to promote youth exchanges, vocational training, and cooperation in agriculture, sport, infrastructure, and public service delivery. Key areas of focus include education, vocational training, and student exchanges between the two regions.

Key points

• The cooperation agreement between Ohangwena and Salzland district focuses on education, vocational training, and student exchanges.
• The historical link between the two regions dates back to the 1980s, when Namibian children studied in the former East Germany.
• The partnership aims to promote cooperation in agriculture, sport, infrastructure, and public service delivery.