Engela Constituency

Engela constituency (red) in the Ohangwena Region of Namibia

Engela is an electoral constituency in the Ohangwena Region of northern Namibia. It had 13,743 registered voters in 2020.[1] It is named after the settlement of Engela, today part of the town Helao Nafidi. Engela is home to one of the biggest hospitals in Namibia, Engela State Hospital.

The constituency covers an area of 296 km2 (114 sq mi). It had a population of 24,271 in 2011, up from 21,832 in 2001.[2]

Politics

As is common in all constituencies of former Ovamboland, Namibia's ruling SWAPO Party has dominated elections since independence. In the 2004 regional election SWAPO candidate Nghidinihamba Urias Ndilula received 6,774 of the 6,802 votes cast.[3]

In the 2015 regional election SWAPO also won by a landslide. Its candidate Jason Ndakunda gathered 5,372 votes, while the only opposition candidate, Laban Kanyiki of the Rally for Democracy and Progress (RDP), received 574 votes.[4] The 2020 regional election was also won by the SWAPO candidate. Elkan Hainghumbi received 4,431 votes, far ahead of Ngenokesho Nandeukeni of the Independent Patriots for Change (IPC), an opposition party formed in August 2020, who obtained 867 votes.[1]

Seasonal flooding

The constituency is usually affected by flood waters from Cunene Province in southern Angola when it receives good rainfall, leaving many areas submerged. This usually affects residents living in flood-prone areas in the constituency. Due to the flooding, schools are being closed, leaving learners trapped in their homes. Additionally, during flooding season, roads, buildings, and houses are damaged and livestock dies, affecting the community's livelihood in the constituency.[5][6]

References

  1. ^ a b "Regional Council 2020 Election Results". Interactive map. Electoral Commission of Namibia. 18 January 2021. Archived from the original on 12 June 2021. Retrieved 14 July 2021.
  2. ^ "Chapter 2: Population Structure, Composition and Density" (PDF). Ohangwena 2011 Census Regional Profile. Namibia Statistics Agency. p. 4. Retrieved 1 January 2025.
  3. ^ "Electoral Act, 1992: Notification of Result of General Election for Regional Councils" (pdf). Government Gazette of the Republic of Namibia. No. 3366. Government of Namibia. 3 January 2005. p. 8.
  4. ^ "Regional Council Election Results 2015". Electoral Commission of Namibia. 3 December 2015. p. 13. Archived from the original on 8 December 2015. Retrieved 12 June 2016.
  5. ^ Nepembe, Panduleni (2024). "Flood waters enters Engela Constituency in Ohangwena Region". NBC. Retrieved 3 January 2025.
  6. ^ Shikololo, A (2 February 2023). "Flood wreaks havoc in Ohangwena". New Era.

17°26′S 15°52′E / 17.433°S 15.867°E / -17.433; 15.867