Office of the Hardap Governor

07/09/2026

06/09/2026

Young Namibians have been encouraged to play a greater role in driv...

04/09/2026

DIE KAPANA LOOP SOOS STROOP 👌



Governor Riaan Mcnab, Chairperson Honorable Gerhardus Kooper, MP Honorable Iswarin Rooi and Office of the Governor Youth desk coordinator Emilia, attended the official opening of the Mariental Youth Expo where the Regional Leadership encouraged the upcoming young Sme,s to never underestimate themselves because they are the drivers of Namibias economy. The Honorable Governor has delivered the opening remarks of the Youth Expo 2026 in Mariental today.

SPEECH BY THE HONOURABLE GOVERNOR AT THE MARIENTAL YOUTH EXPO, 04 SEPTEMBER 2026.

Programme Director,
Distinguished Guests,
Young People of Mariental and the Hardap Region,
Ladies and Gentlemen,

Good Afternoon;

It is a great pleasure to be here with you at the Mariental Youth Expo.

Today is not only about showcasing talent, ideas, businesses and opportunities. It is also about reminding ourselves that the future of Namibia is in the hands of its young people.

To the young people gathered here today, I want to say: do not underestimate yourselves. You have ideas, talents, skills and creativity that can contribute meaningfully to the development of our country. What you need is the courage to start, the discipline to persevere, and the willingness to make use of the opportunities available to you.

Government has created programmes aimed at supporting young Namibians to turn their ideas into sustainable businesses and livelihoods. The National Youth Development Fund is one such opportunity. I encourage you to learn about these programmes, prepare yourselves properly, develop viable ideas and take that important first step. Do not wait for opportunities to come to you, seek them, prepare for them and make use of them.

I also want to encourage our young people to look beyond traditional career paths. The creative industry, including music, film, fashion, art, digital content, design and other forms of creative expression, has enormous potential. It is also among the development priority areas of the 8th Administration of Namibia under the visionary leadership of Her Excellency Dr. Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah. Your creativity can become not only a passion, but also a business, a source of employment and a contribution to our economy.

Young people, this Expo is an opportunity to network, learn, showcase what you can do and identify pathways for your future. Take advantage of it. Speak to entrepreneurs. Ask questions. Build partnerships. Learn from those who have walked the journey before you.

As Government, we remain committed to creating an enabling environment where young Namibians can participate meaningfully in economic development.

But remember: Government can open doors, but you must be willing to walk through them.

I therefore challenge every young person here today to leave this Expo with a renewed sense of purpose. Believe in your potential, develop your skills, embrace innovation and, most importantly, take action.

Your talent matters. Your ideas matter. Your contribution matters.

Let us work together to build a Namibia where young people are not merely beneficiaries of development, but are active drivers of development.

I wish you a successful and inspiring Mariental Youth Expo.

I thank you.

04/09/2026

TOURISM POLICY VALIDATION ENGAGEMENT

The Governor of the Hardap Region, Hon. Riaan Mcnab,delivered opening remarks during the Tourism Policy Validation Engagement currently taking place in Mariental.

04/09/2026

TOURISM POLICY VALIDATION ENGAGEMENT

MARIENTAL — The Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism is engaging stakeholders from the Hardap and //Kharas Regions in Mariental as part of consultations on the Revised National Policy on Sustainable Tourism Development for Namibia 2026.

The revised policy seeks to position Namibia’s tourism sector for a more sustainable, inclusive and resilient future,taking into consideration evolving visitor expectations, digital transformation, pandemics and the growing impacts of climate change.

A key focus is to ensure that tourism creates meaningful opportunities for local communities, women, youth and rural populations,while encouraging private-sector participation and investment in tourism infrastructure.

The policy also places environmental conservation and cultural preservation at the centre of tourism development, while seeking to improve service quality, diversify tourism products, strengthen marketing and promotion, and advance the use of information and communication technologies across the sector.

The Ministry envisions a mature, sustainable and responsible tourism industry that contributes significantly to Namibia’s economic development and improves the quality of life of its people.

The Mariental engagement brings together regional and local leadership, traditional authorities, government representatives and tourism stakeholders, including Governor of the Hardap Region, Hon. Riaan Mcnab,Chairperson of the Hardap Regional Council Hon.Simon Kooper ,Mariental Urban Constituency Regional Councillor Iswarin Brenda Rooi,Chairperson of the Gibeon Village Council Sharon Bezuidenhout, !Khar-Khoen Traditional Authority leader Gaob Dawid Hanse , Ms. Lydia Jossob,Deputy Director of Administration in the Office of the Hardap Governor.

The consultation provides an important platform for stakeholders from both regions to share their views and recommendations towards shaping a tourism policy that responds to Namibia’s current realities, strengthens regional tourism linkages and unlocks opportunities for sustainable economic growth, investment and community development.

Story & Photos by Emilia Samentha Mbishi

04/09/2026

The Deputy Executive Director of Ministry of Environment, Tourism & Forestry, Ms Seimy Shidute , paid a courtesy visit to the Office of the Governor of the Hardap Region as part of her engagement with regional stakeholders.

The courtesy visit provided an opportunity to strengthen collaboration and engage on matters of mutual interest, particularly sustainable tourism development in the Hardap Region.

Part of the discussions centred around Traditional Authorities benefiting from concessions within the tourism industry, with emphasis on creating opportunities for local communities to participate meaningfully in and benefit from the region’s tourism resources.

The Chairperson of the Hardap Regional Council was also in attendance, alongside representatives from the Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism and Wilderness.

The engagement reaffirmed the importance of continued collaboration among government and tourism stakeholders in promoting sustainable tourism development, empowering local communities and Traditional Authorities, and unlocking the region’s tourism potential.

03/09/2026

Governors office assist family of Mariental to lay baby Senoritha Bock to rest 🥲

Governor Riaan Mcnab responded after a video has circulated yesterday on sociel media from Mother Susanna Bock of Mariental, pleading for assistance for the burial of her baby Senoritha Bock who sadly passed away on the 01st of September on Tuesday.

Governor Mcnab this morning informed the office staff to bring the family to the office and inform them that the Office of the Governor will take over the funeral expenses and food assistance to the family. This morning, Mother Susanna and family have been informed by the Honorable Governor Riaan Mcnab and support staff during the engagement that the office is always there to serve the interest of the residents and equally appreciates Pastor Prins and wife for their invaluable role in community service.

The Office of the Hardap Governor expressed their deepest condolences and offer prayers to Mother Susanna and family during the lost of baby Senoritha and stand in solidarity with the family, assuring the delegation that Government under the Leadership of our President, H.E Dr Netumbo Nandi Ndaitwah cares for the Nation. The burial will take place on the 05th of September in Mariental 2026. May the beutiful soul of baby Senoritha Bock rest in Love and Peace 🙏❤️🙏

02/09/2026

Mr Cloete and team of Rural Water supply respond swiftly to farmers water needs at Camp 15 Kalkrand. Yesterday after the visit of Governor Riaan Mcnab to farmers in Kalkrand, the Governor contacted Mr Cloete and today the team arrived with a water machine to install it and restore the water crisis at Camp 15. Mr Cloete I appreciate you and the team from the button of my heart. Excellent service under our 8th Administration of H.E Dr Netumbo Nandi Ndaitwah👌

This message is for you from the farmers of Kalkrand.
“ Nagse Governor. Die masjien is op, die water loop en die boere is baie bly. Ons sê weerens baie dankie vir u spoedige hulp en bystaand. Dit was nou van groot hulp vir ons en spesifiek die boere van rooidam omgewing (kamp 15). Ons sien alreeds uit vir groter dinge . God seën u “

May God bless u Mr Cloete and entire team of Rural water supply, Hardap Region. My deepest appreciation for your excellent leadership and your commitment to serving the resident of Hardap Region with Love and compassion 👏👏👏

01/09/2026

KALKRAND FARMERS ENGAGE WITH GOVERNOR MCNAB TODAY ✅
Governor Riaan Mcnab recieved a request from Mr Isaacs, Vice Chairperson of the group of Farmers in order to have audience with the Governor and wanted to travel to Mariental to discuss their challenges.

In return the Honorable Governor felt there is rather a need for him to go onto the ground and hear their concerns instead of the group traveling under difficuilt circumstances and therefore decided to travel to Kalkrand to meet up with the Chairperson of the Village Council and talk directly with the affected farmers. The Honorable Regional Counsellor and other Counsellors had other commitments at the time of the engagement.

Among some of the challenges discussed was resettlement, the need for a water machine in one of the Town lands, Tanks, Small agriculture plots for Crop production and the possibility for Agro processing as well as Restocking of their livestock, since the prolonged drought has severely affected their circumstances. During the discussions the Honorable Governor Riaan Mcnab provided instant solutions by directing departments responsible for service delivery to help the affected farmers and provide pragmatic leadership which resulted in immediate solutions on the urgent needs of the affected farmers around the table.

A scheduled appointment will be facilitated by the Honorable Governor to the Ministry, accompanied by two members of the group, the Regional Counsellor Honorable Garoeb and the Chairlady, Honorable Kharas of the Village in due course to find solutions to some of the more higher level challenges raised in the meeting. The farmers expressed their appreciation and thanked the Governor for his commitment and caring people centred Leadership.