Constituency Otavi Constituency Population 5,242 (2011) | Climate BSh Local time Monday 9:29 PM | |
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Time zone South African Standard Time (UTC+1) Weather 19°C, Wind E at 6 km/h, 85% Humidity | ||
Otavi town council hands over 120 residential plots to the b2gold mine nbc
Otavi is a town of 4,000 inhabitants in the Otjozondjupa Region of central Namibia. It is the district capital of the Otavi electoral constituency. Most of the area is dolomitic (Precambrian) and the district was in the past renowned for its mineral wealth. Most of the deposits have now been exhausted.
Contents
- Otavi town council hands over 120 residential plots to the b2gold mine nbc
- Map of Otavi Namibia
- Otavi Triangle
- History
- Economy
- Transport
- Politics
- Education
- References
Map of Otavi, Namibia
Otavi Triangle
The towns of Otavi, Tsumeb (to the north) and Grootfontein (to the northeast) define an area known as the "Otavi Triangle", also known as the Otavi Mountainland. This geographical region is sometimes referred to as the "Golden Triangle", or as the "maize Triangle", owing to the cultivation of [maize] in the area. The three towns that define the triangle are roughly 60 km from each other.
History
On July 1, 1915, the German Army was defeated at Otavi by South African troops; on June 9 they surrendered nearby and signed the Khorab Peace Treaty. There is a memorial to this event a few miles outside of Otavi.
Economy
Much of the town's economy relies on the two grocery stores, a mill, two banks, two gas stations, and many surrounding game/cattle farms, as well as a handful of other small business. The owners of most of these businesses are Afrikaners (white Africans of Boer, ultimately Dutch, heritage) or Germans.
Due to financial mismanagement, Otavi lost its town status in 2004 and was downgraded to "village". After revenue picked up again, town status was reinstated in November 2010. With the foundation of the Ohorongo Cement factory and a gold mine to be opened soon, business and employment is supposed to pick up significantly.
Transport
Otavi is a railway junction where the line to Oshikango branches off the line to Oshakati. The B1, the main road going North and South through Namibia runs right through Otavi, about a 3½ hour drive from the capital, Windhoek.
Politics
Otavi is governed by a town council that currently has seven seats.
Education
Previously the German school Regierungsschule Otavi was in the city.