Outapi Ombalantu | |
|---|---|
 Main street in Outapi | |
 Seal | |
  Outapi Location in Namibia | |
| Coordinates:17°30′16″S14°59′05″E / 17.50444°S 14.98472°E /-17.50444; 14.98472 | |
| Country |  Namibia |
| Region | Omusati Region |
| Government | |
| • Type | Municipal council |
| • Mayor | Selma Asino[1] |
| Area | |
• Total | 10.7 sq mi (27.7 km2) |
| Population (2023)[2] | |
• Total | 13,664 |
| • Density | 1,300/sq mi (490/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC+2 (SAST) |
| Climate | BSh |
Outapi wa Nakafingo na Temba, alsoOutapi orUutapi andOmbalantu, is atown in northernNamibia near the border withAngola, situated 90 km (56 mi) northwest ofOshakati. It is the capital of theOmusati region and the district capital of theOutapi electoral constituency. It had a population of 13,664 people in 2023. The language spoken there isOshiwambo.
The town normally receives an annual average rainfall of 440 millimetres (17 in), although in the 2010/2011 rainy season 723 millimetres (28.5 in) were measured.[3]
| Year | Pop. | ±% p.a. |
|---|---|---|
| 2001 | 2,640 | — |
| 2011 | 6,437 | +9.32% |
| 2023 | 13,664 | +6.47% |
| Sources:[4][2] | ||
In 2001, Outapi was the smallest town in Namibia, with a population of just over 2,600.[5] It is, however, developing rapidly. There is a large number of newly constructed government buildings and shops in the south of the town. The town features several schools, a community hall, a hospital and a police station.[6] There are two open markets, one at theOmbalantu baobab tree and one atOnhimbu. There is also a tourist lodge.
Within the formerSouth African Army base is the famousOmukwaOmbalantu baobab tree, abaobab whose huge hollow trunk has been used in the past as a post office, a chapel, and a coffee shop, and now[update] houses a craft shop.[7]
The town hosts the annualOlufuko Festival, which was initiated in 2012. The festival is a combination of a business expo and cultural celebrations, of which the initiation ceremony that prepares teenage girls for womanhood is the heart of the festival. Namibia's first president and founding father,Sam Nujoma, is the patron of the Olufuko Festival.
Outapi is governed by a town council that has seven seats.[8] Omusati Region, to which Outapi belongs, is a stronghold of Namibia's rulingSWAPO party. For the2015 local authority election no opposition party nominated a candidate, and SWAPO won all seven seats uncontested.[9]
SWAPO also won the2020 local authority election. It obtained 721 votes and gained five seats. TheIndependent Patriots for Change (IPC), an opposition party formed in August 2020, obtained 357 votes and gained the remaining two seats.[10] Selma Asino is[update] mayor of Outapi.[1]
