S201072335

The significance of Etunda Village

It is quite important to take note that different parts of the world have been created with different features which cannot be found in other parts of the world. In most cases the essentiality of the features and characteristics of the area lead to the name of that particular area to become known internationally. In this case the rich soil suitable for cultivation, the suitable land for animal grazing and the beautiful topographical features of this area are the great significant objects that led to Etunda Village to be known nationally, regionally and internationally.

Location

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Etunda Village is situated in Omusati region in Ruacana Consituency in Uukolonkadhi Traditional Authority. The village is bordered by Angola to the North, Omakuwa Village to the North East, Epalela to the East, Eenkalashe to the South and Okapika in the west. The area is about 134km from Oshakati and 7km from Ruacana town.

Population

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Etunda village has a population of about 5000 inhabitant. The population composed of people from different tribes and different ethnic groups. There are Oshiwambo speaking people coming from tribes such as Kolonkadhi, Mbalantu, Kwanyama, Ndonga, Kwambi, Ngandjera, Kwaluudhi and Mbandja. The population consists of people from Zemba and Ovandongona tribes. These two tribes ( ovazemba & ovandongona) have emerged from Angola long time before, and came to settle in this area. There are also people from Caprivi and Kavango regions who came to settle in Etunda recently after the Namibian independence.

Economic activities

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The village became common because of its well fertile soil, land is the most significant factor of production in this village. People are mainly depending on agriculture. Etunda inhabitants are farming with both land cultivation and animals farming. There two type of farming in Etunda village, which are communal and commercial farming. Communal farming is the common farming practice which has been used long before independence. Communal farmer are basically farming with land cultivations producing goods mahangu, maize, beans, watermelons, pumpkins, groundnuts and nuts. Mahangu is the main product in communal farmers. Communal farmers are also farming with small and large stocks such as sheep, goats (small) and cattle, donkeys and horses (large). Donkeys and horses are not used as sources of food in Etunda. Cattle farming are most crucial for beef, milk and butter production. Communal farming is mainly used to produce goods sufficient for family consumption and the surplus can be sold in the community to earn money to finance other basic need such as food (sugar, tea, coffee, bread) clothes, shelter construction. Commercial farming emerged in Etunda village in 1992 recently after independence when Etunda Irrigation Project was established. Commercial farmers are involved in cultivation farming activities; their products include some of the following: mahangu, maize meals, potatoes, tomatoes, onions, carrots, cabbages, ground nuts, animal fodders and bananas. Commercial farmers produce goods sufficient for domestic consumption and some for export to countries like South Africa.

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