Rehoboth Town Profilerehobothbasters.org/images/stories/Books_Reports/... · 2011. 7. 1. ·...

Rehoboth Town Profile

TOWN COUNCIL OF REHOBOTH

Mission Statement

We strive to become a focal point of recreation attraction through

conservation of natural resources and food production by means of

effective farming activities in Namibia.

We commit ourselves to develop into active partners in local

governance administration and development through implementation

of technology and training of staff to the benefit of all stakeholders.

Rehoboth's aspiration will succeed through effective utilization of all

natural resources and prudent control of assets to ensure self

sustainability through public participation.


Corporate Values

• Sustainability

• Transparancy

• Accountability

• Customers Care

• Commitment

• Integrity


Location Rehoboth is Located 90 km south of the capital Windhoek with approximately 40 000 inhabitants (this include the immediate surrounding, rural community). The Town enjoys a strategic location on the national highway, untapped natural resources, including tourism and eco-tourism potential, low cost for land and business properties and a potential market. There are more than 190 registered businesses and two financial institutions.

Depiction The town's abundant flora is possibly its greatest tourist asset. Consequently, Rehoboth is now emerging as one of Namibia's most vibrant and prominent destinations for leisure and eco tourism. The Town's museum is recognized as having designated national collections, often of international importance, and attracts thousands of visitors every year. Lodging Accommodation around the Town is provided in comfortable bungalows varying in size. Clean, safe, healthy environment, friendly people and easy access to local amenities is what makes the Town and is exactly the type of impression we want people to take away. The Town has thus adopted a vision to strive for effective utilization of all natural resources and prudent control of assets to the benefits of all stakeholders. Economy The potential for small and micro-enterprise development is high in Rehoboth. However, not withstanding, there is no eager capital. Similarly, Rehoboth lack a well-organized private sector, which could develop alternative business support structures, including access to capital by tapping into emerging domestic and national delivery systems. As part of Rehoboth's wider economic strategy, tourism is playing a part in diversifying the Town's economy and thus ensures its future prosperity.However, Rehoboth is not alone in attempting to


maximize its potential in this way, so we will need to increase our competitiveness to allow forcontinued business development and growth. This will revolve around dealing with issues like:

• Improving service delivery and providing business support;

• Improving market intelligence and the sharing of information,

• Encourage greater flexibility of the tourism product, especially in terms of availability,

• Improve a critical mass of attractions.

The economic development division is responsible for improving strategic planning for tourismthrough greater understanding and cooperation between everyone involved in planning anddevelopment and by more realistic business projection. Tourism represents one of the most buoyantsectors of Namibia's economy and, in Rehoboth in particular, has become a significant means of joband wealth creation. The employment opportunities created stretches across a range of skills as well as embracing a host of activities from producing tourism related products to customer services. While aiming to encourage and foster growth in tourism it is also important to take account ofsustainability and the impact of current and future tourism. Central to sustainable development is theaim to achieve wider social progress reflecting the needs of everyone in the community. In this respect it is crucial to adopt the philosophy of "tourism for all", particularly for those in the less disadvantagesection of the society. In its short and medium term the Town Council is working on developing an Ambassador Programme to reflect wide range of Rehoboth's culture and what the town has on offer for potential investors inorder to ensure growth and stability and further improve the standard of life of its inhabitants.


Tourist attractions

• Acacia forest

• Oanob Lake Resort

• Namibia Wild Life Resorts (Hot Water Springs)

• Rehoboth Museum


Rehoboth lies on an elevation of 4544 Feet (1385m) of which thephysiography is characterized by rugged, stony hills, mountainous areasand sand-filled valleys. From Windhoek it is an easy 85 km drive on themain road (B1) to Rehoboth. This town is centrally located and therefor aperfect gateway to all major focal points of Namibia; Windhoek, Sossusvlei,Swakopmund, Fish River Canyon, Etosha, great stop over en-route toCape Town

Population : 43 000

Size : 54 000 ha

Employment rate : 40 % (Region)

Labor Force : 63.4 % (Region)

Small Medium Enterprises : 123 Institutions in Rehoboth: 7 Primary Schools

2 Senior Secondary Schools 1 Technical Secondary School 72 Churches Standard Bank Namibia Fist National Bank Rehoboth Town Council 1 Health Center 1 Hospital 2 Private Clinics Chambers of Commerce

Tourism Region has particular tourist potential. Considering the natural access tothe Naukluft Park and Sossus Vlei via Mariental or via Rehoboth, thegreater (southern) part of the Namib Naukluft Park has been included inthis area. Rehoboth is seen as an important growth point in the Region,especially in the northern part. As such it can make an importantcontribution to the overall development of the Region. The whole Regionhas a well developed infrastructure


The tourism sector also got a new face-lift with new developments atLake Oanob in the Rehoboth district. These developments in theregion have positive spin-offs for the economy in the form of newemployment opportunities and increased revenue streams andforeign exchange earnings. Efforts would continue on the part of thegovernment to encourage the private sector to invest in the region in order torevive economic activities and create the much-neededemployment opportunities in towns and settlements in the region. A. Lake Oanob Resort

From Windhoek it is an easy 85 km drive on the main road (B1)to Rehoboth. This town is centrally located and therefor aperfect gateway to all major focal points of Namibia; Windhoek,Sossusvlei, Swakopmund, Fish River Canyon, Etosha, great stopover en-route to Cape Town. Lake Oanob Resort is situated 7km west of Rehoboth. The turn off from the B1 to the resort iswell indicated. The Resort is constructed on the banks of the


very scenic Oanob Dam. Majestic mountains are set on fire byspectacular sunsets. From your patio you can see the reflections ofthe moon and stars on the lake. 6 200 ha of unspoiled nature providesthe perfect haven for an abundance of free roaming game.

B. Acacia Forest

An area of some 8400 ha referred to as the Acacia Forest andwell known for its large camel-thorn trees (some estimated to be 2000years old) lies within the municipal boundaries of Rehoboth. Thepossibility of proclaiming the area as a community park is currentlybeing considered

C. Rehoboth Museum

The history of the Rehoboth Easters is recorded in the RehobothMuseum, where their cultural heritage and archaeological finds inthe area, such as an open-air burial site, are recorded.


C. Reho Spar (Hot water Springs)

At the town of Rehoboth, a mere 90 km south of Windhoek laysthe ultra-modern hot springs resort Reho Spa. Here visitors canrelax in comfort and enjoy the mineral-rich warm waters andbeautiful surroundings.

The indoor thermal bath and outdoor swimming pool provideendless fun for the whole family. One can spend hours in thepleasantly lukewarm waters, only getting out to have a braaiunder the shady trees while watching the graceful geese glidepast.

Reho Spa offers overnight visitors a choice of comfortable, fullyfitted bungalows. There is an excellent restaurant and aconvenient cafeteria, as well as conference facilities for largegroups.

The Rehoboth Town Council is presently in negotiations withWild Life Resort for a joint venture in upgrading, maintenanceand operations of this resort.

D. Rehoboth Town Council

The Rehoboth Town Council is responsible for providingmunicipal services to the approximately 6,500 plots within thetown lands of which 5,000 are developed. The Rehoboth Townlands measure 54000 ha in extent, offering adequate space forfuture urban development.


E. Water Tariffs

Tariff category Monthly Consumption

Proposed Tariff N$

Domestic Other Rebate 0-15m3 N$ 35.00 None Meter type Conventional (>15M3) Om3L/C-20m3 N$ 7.00 N$ 7.00 Conventional 21m3 N$ 7.25 N$ 7.25

>37m3 N$ 9.00 N$ 9.00 Stand pipes All N$ 7.00 N$ 7.00 Basic charge N$ 30.00 N$ 250.00 Connection deposit N$ 350.00 N$ 700.00 Meter testing N$ 180.00 N$ 247.00 Reconnection N$ 75.00 N$ 155.00 Special Reading N$ 80.00 N$ 160.00 Meter Tampering N$ 1500.00 N$ 2000.00 Special disconnection N$ 75.00 N$ 75.00 Interest on Arrear 2% 2% Tokens Prepaid N$ 190.00 N$ 190.00 Lost Tokens N$ 190.00 N$ 190.00 Connection Actual +15% N$ Actual+15


F. ELECTRICITY TARIFFS

Tariff Options Monthly Electricity Cost

Connection Fees

Large Power Users (LPU)

Basic charge N$ 194.25 Unite cost 46.69c/kWh

N$ 5000.00

Business Medium usage (Bus-3)

Basic charge 15 A N$ 97.04 Unite cost 55.17c/kWh

N$ 850.00

Business Low Usage Basic charge 15 A N$ 25.04 Unite cost 55.17c/kWh

N$ 275.00

Domestic (DOM) Basic charge 15 A N$ 21.83 Unite cost 46.74c/kWh

N$ 200.00

Domestic for pensioners


N$ 150.00

Pre-paid Single phase

pp-lb unite cost 80.92c/kWh pp-1 unite cost 70.36c/kWh

N$ 00.00

Pre-paid Three phase


N$ 00.00

F. Town Land Policy:

The primary objective of the Town Council of Rehoboth'sTownlands Management Policy will focus on the allocation ofpositions of the Town lands to residents of Rehoboth in wayswhich are institutional, sociologically, economically andenvironmentally sustainable, and which will allow the beneficiariesto become self-supporting.

The objectives of the Town lands Management Policies

are:

TOWN COUNCIL OF REHOBOTN

2.1.1 To develop destination areas where residents of the Town of Rehoboth

may conduct a decent living;

2.1.2 To prevent degradation of and destruction of natural resources;

2.1.3 To assist smallholder farmers or subsistence farmers come into the

mainstream of the Namibian economy.

2.1.4 To create employment opportunities through small scale farming

activities.

The proximity of Rehoboth to the Windhoek International airport 130Km away, efficient rail access to Walvis Bay, Namibia's principleexport harbour, and the towns locality on the B1, a national road thattraverse the country from south to north, offer investors easy andeffective access to the national and international markets. Rehoboth'sstrategic location in terms of the in terms of the Trans-Kalahari andTrans-Caprivi Highways, as well as the Windhoek-Cape Town trafficcorridors, enables fast and reliable transportation of merchandise andother sources to and from any destination within the Southern AfricanDevelopment Community (SADC) Region or worldwide. F. Emergency Service:

St. Mary's Hospital

The Rehoboth Health District is organized in one District Hospital (St.Mary 's, under CHS), one Health Centre and one Tb-Clinic at Rehobothtown and three Clinics located at Schlip, Rietoog and


Klein Aub, all the latter under the Ministry of Health and Social Services.

Apart from these exist 18 outreach points that are visited on amonthly basis, in the rural areas. The three satellite clinics falldirect under the administration and supervision of the Health Centre.But after hours they refer directly to St. Mary's District Hospital. St.Mary's Hospital is owned and run by the Roman Catholic Church ofNamibia. All casualties and severe trauma cases are managed andtreated by St. Mary's Hospital

G. Development Projects

1. West Ridge:

Westridge is a new residential area coming to Rehoboth that willoffer luxury homes at an affordable price, including...

• High-security gated community

• Private school located within residential area

• Hilltop views of the surrounding mountains

• Close access to downtown shopping center

2. Aquaculture Projects

Rehoboth Town Council allocates 100 ha of land to a Community Fish Farming Project.

3. Agriculture Small Holdings

The Agriculture Small holding is divided into 35 agriculture plotswith an average size of 5 ha. Four of these plots are rentingout to the Rehoboth Community Trust, Evergreen GardenProject, Reho Freshland Products CC and Namstar Farmer's Co-operative LTD. The following Private entities


are in the final stages of negotiation of Lease Agreement with Rehoboth Town Council

a. Hydro Phonics Holdings PTY.

b. Tandeli Investment Holdings PTY (LTD)

c. Reho Agro Projects (PTY) LTD

d. Reho Agricultural Development CC

e. Reho Water Scheme

4. Canola project

The Canola Project is manage and funded throughInternational Development project. The objective of theproject at the oxidation ponds is to purify water through atrickle-system and make more water accessible to theTown of Rehoboth.

H. Industrial Stalls

I.

In order to promote Local Economy Development and SME's,existing stalls have been upgraded and are successfully utilizedby small business community of Rehoboth. Such operationsinclude spray-painting, welding, motor mechanics, steelworks,joineries, etc.

EPZ Status

One manufacturer in town has already obtained "EPZ" status, thus crating an environment for an EPZ Zone.

Lingerie is manufactured for exclusive exportation. Projectedplanning includes the development of the Rehoboth RailwayStation into an EPZ Zone.


• Suitable industrial land to serious investors at negotiated rates.

• Reduced municipal rates and taxes on industrial land.

• Water for operation at cost price.

• Where applicable, assistance in obtaining the necessary Government

approvals required in terms of Namibian laws and regulations, and

• Where necessary, assistance in completing an environmental impact

assessment in accordance with national guidelines.

- - -

Conclusive Remarks and the Way Forward

In line with its new corporate strategy and management emphasisaimed at repositioning the Council as an institution geared towardcreating significant opportunities for its community, through proactivesupport programs, the Town Council of Rehoboth embarked uponmajor efforts to secure funding for development projects in it's area ofauthority. The Rehoboth Town Council aims to develop Rehoboth into a vibrant,economically efficient and self-sustaining urban center. In support ofthis vision, the Town Council offers the following incentives andservices to potential investors in the manufacturing and productionsectors:

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