User talk:Fessie Nafuka

Oponona Lake-The Dependent of the Most

Oponona Lake well known as Edhiya lya Mbolongo in Oshiwambo is one of the special lakes in Namibia due to its scenery and historically sites. It is named after the village Oponona which is on its locality. Oponona means the flow of water. Oponona village is head by Mr. Linus Shiimi under the Uukwambi Traditional Authority. The lake is politically and geographically located in Uuvudhiya Constituency in the Oshana Region. Oponona Lake is found on the south of Oshakati town and it is approximately 65km from Oshakati when one uses the Oshakati-Ompundja gravel road.

Most significantly, it is a place of interests, the dependent of the most and life saver. This entails that, the lake is an answer to the livestock farmers, specifically the cattle farmers from the O4 regions (Ohangwena, Oshikoto, Omusati and Oshana) in the northern Namibia. To add, the lake saves the lives of no man’s donkeys and all the lost animals which loom around the area. Hence, it is not fenced and it is believed to be a no man’s lake, it is just on an open space in the desert. It is accessible to everyone regardless of politically or geographically place of origin.

After sufficient rainfall in the northern Namibia and Oponona Lake is full to its capacity, it holds water throughout the year and livestock do not suffer from drought. This basically means that livestock farmers moves their animals from other areas and locate their cattle post close to the lake. Those who got running water from taps also depend on the lake if they experience the shortage of water from taps. In fact, farmers depend on this lake because is the answer to water shortage and it saves the lives of the poor who are unable to own water taps.

On a different note, when the level of water decreases and water becomes unfit (becomes salty water) for human and animals consumption, people from the surroundings and the nearby regions are permitted to use fishing nets to catch the cat fish and tilapia fish. Some people catch fish to sell and make a living (business purposes), whilst some catch fish for family consumption only. In other words, Oponona Lake serves as the source of food and income. The fish from this lake are fit for human consumption because the lake is free of harmful effects and pollution. Oponona Lake is an interesting place due its scenery and history. In essence, different people are interested in many things. Oponona Lake is a place which attracts the interest of many by its nature. Most people from different corners of the country especially the tourists spend their leisure time at the lake, swimming and/or catching fish with hooks.