Khomas Region

Khomas Region, Namibia

Area:	36,805 km² (14,210 mi²)
Population:	300,000 (2006), 250,305 (2001), 167,071 (1991)
Population density	6.8/km² (17.6/mi²)
Capital:	Windhoek
Governor:	Sophia Shaningwa
Time zone:	South Africa Standard Time: UTC+2

Khomas is one of the thirteen regions of Namibia. Khomas contains the capital city of Namibia, Windhoek. It has the highest population of any region in Namibia (15%). Whites and coloureds are about 46.7% of population.

Khomas is one of only three regions to have neither shoreline nor a foreign border. It borders the following regions:

• Erongo - west
• Otjozondjupa - north
• Omaheke - east
• Hardap - south

Politics

The region comprises nine constituencies:^[1]

1. Tobias Hainyeko
2. Moses //Garoëb
3. Samora Machel
4. Katutura Central
5. Katutura East
6. Khomasdal North
7. Windhoek West
8. Windhoek East
9. Windhoek Rural
10. John Pandeni

Khomas is important electorally, as nearly 17% of the total votes in the 2004 election came from this region.

2004 parliamentary election

SWAPO won Khomas Region by a wide majority, though with a lower percentage of the total vote than nationally.

2004 parliamentary election results

Demographics

According to the Namibia 2001 Population and Housing Census, Khomas had a population of 250,262 (123,613 females and 126,648 males or 102 males for every 100 females) growing at an annual rate of 4%. The fertility rate was 4.9 children per woman. 93% lived in urban areas while 7% lived in rural areas, and with an area of 37,007km², the population density was 6.8 persons per km². By age, 11% of the population was under 5 years old, 18% between 5-14 years, 67% between 15-59 years, and 4% 60 years and older. The population was divided into 58,580 households, with an average size of 4.2 persons. 36% of households had a female head of house, while 64% had a male. For those 15 years and older, 61% had never married, 24% married with certificate, 3% married traditionally, 7% married concensually, 2% were divorced or separated, and 2% were widowed.^[2]

The most commonly spoken languages at home were Oshiwambo (37% of households), Afrikaans (24%), and Nama/Damara (13%). For those 15 years and older, the literacy rate was 94%. In terms of education, 87% of girls and 86% of boys between the ages of 6-15 were attending school, and of those 15 years and older, 76% had left school, 12% were currently at school, and 8% had never attended.^[2]

The employment rate for the labor force (46% of those 15+) was 71% employed and 29% unemployed. For those 15+ years old and not in the labor force (50%), 55% were students, 25% homeakers, and 20% retired, too old, etc.^[2]

Among households, 98% had safe water, 20% no toilet facility, 69% electricity for lighting, 83% access to radio, and 9% had wood or charcoal for cooking. In terms of households' main sources of income, 1% derived it from farming, 74% from wages and salaries, 7% cash remittances, 11% from business or non-farming, and 4% from pension.^[2]

For every 1000 live births there were 53 female infant deaths and 54 male. The life expectancy at birth was 56 years for females and 54 for males. Among children younger than 15, 5% had lost a mother, 10% a father, and 1% were orphaned by both parents. 4% of the entire population had a disability, of which 22% were deaf, 44% blind, 11% had a speech disability, 9% hand disability, 15% leg disability, and 4% mental disability.^[2]

References

v • d • e Regions of Namibia Caprivi · Erongo · Hardap · Karas · Kavango · Khomas · Kunene · Ohangwena · Omaheke · Omusati · Oshana · Oshikoto · Otjozondjupa

v • d • e Constituencies in the Khomas Region of Namibia Katutura Central · Katutura East · Khomasdal North · Moses //Garoëb constituency (Western Hakahana) · Samora Machel (Wanaheda) · John Pandeni (Soweto) · Tobias Hainyeko (Eastern Hakahana) · Windhoek East · Windhoek Rural · Windhoek West