Otavi


Otavi is a town of 4,000 inhabitants in the Otjozondjupa Region of central Namibia. Situated 360km north of Windhoek, it is the district capital of the Otavi electoral constituency. Most of the area is dolomitic and the district was in the past renowned for its mineral wealth. Most of the deposits have now been exhausted.
Elefantenberg, a mountain 1624 meters above sea level, is located about 7 km south of Otavi.

Otavi Triangle

The towns of Otavi, Tsumeb and Grootfontein 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 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, 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 has seven seats.
The 2015 local authority election was won by SWAPO which gained six seats and 957 votes. The remaining seat went to the Democratic Turnhalle Alliance which gained 79 votes.

Education

Previously the German Regierungsschule Otavi was in the city.