Omutumwa asked Local Economic Development and Public Relations Officer of Oshikuku Town Council Mr John Siloiso to provide a report on the development progress of the town’s cultural heritage centre that was initiated nearly ten years ago.
Siloiso provided information to enlighten the nation as follows:
Background of the Oshikuku Cultural Heritage Centre (OCHC)
In 2013 the Oshikuku Town Council conceptualized an idea to develop a Cultural Heritage Centre within its area of jurisdiction.
The centre would serve multiple purposes such as educational centre, family and youth leisure centre, accommodation establishment, heritage preservation centre and business conference centre.
Objectives of the Oshikuku Cultural Heritage Centre
The objectives of the OCHC are to:
Serve as a heritage preservation and historical education centre through a public museum and traditional homestead,
Serve as a public entertainment centre,
Serve as a family leisure centre through swimming pool and braai facilities,
Serve as an additional revenue generating stream for Council through accommodation and eatery facilities.
Master Plan for the OCHC
The Master Plan for the Oshikuku Cultural Heritage Centre indicates that on completion the centre will be comprising of the bungalows and campsite, traditional homestead, museum, bar and restaurant, curio shop and kiosk, swimming pool, braai facilities and open-air entertainment area.
Current developmental status of OCHC
To date the following facilities have been completed at the centre: 6 double rooms, public braai facilities with ablution block, swimming pool, traditional homestead, laundry room, office block and security guard office.
Council intends to construct a bar and restaurant with boardroom in the next phase.
Cost implications of OCHC
The development of this centre is being funded by the Ministry of Urban and Rural Development through the Local Economic Development Agency (LEDA).
To date an amount of approximately N$3, 870, 000.00 inclusive of cost of servicing and fencing of the area has been spent since 2015.
Due to budgetary constraints, restaurant and bar cannot be constructed during the 2021/2022 financial year.
Way forward
In light of the limited financial resources at the moment, Council is considering to operationalize the completed facilities through one of the following available options depending on the moist viable one: Public Private Partnership, Leasing to External Party, or Council operating the centre.
In the photo: Some sights of the Cultural Heritage Centre.
