Housing

The provision of affordable housing is critically important for the growth and development of the region. Previous funding for housing such as National Housing Enterprises, Build Together and Shack Dwellers provided houses but not much to meet the growing demand of houses in the region. With the introduction of Mass Housing by the government, the region will be provided with +- 700 houses for the financial year 2013/2014. Katima Mulilo Town is made of 7 recognized informal settlements and 12 formal settlements.

Health

With its population of 90,100 the region has one (1) hospital, Three (3) Health Centers, and Twenty-five (25) clinics at its disposal. With the upgrading of Katima Mulilo Mortuary in 2004, the health situation has been normalized in recent years. The town also boost with Private Practitioners, Dentist, mortuaries, undertakers, pharmacies and physiotherapist who are currently easing the load of the state.

Gender Development

Legislation is in place to enable women to play a full and active role in the economy. However, attitudes and behavior perpetuate discrimination against women. Women make up the majority of the poor, and the number of women in large businesses is still very small. The movement of women into managerial positions or into business/ entrepreneurial positions has been slow The expansion of educational opportunities for all Namibians has brought new possibilities for younger women. Although the traditional professions of nursing and teaching are still popular, women are becoming increasingly active in the SME sector with the need to diversify sources of income. Land and resettlements.

The Ministry of Lands and Resettlement Zambezi Regional Office is currently tasked with the implementation of land and leasehold registration as well as integrated Regional Land Use Planning (IRLUIP). Zambezi Communal Land Board (ZCLB) comprises of 15 members representing different stakeholders whose secretarial and technical support is provided by the Ministry of Lands and Resettlement.

Social Welfare/ Poverty

The influx of people from rural to urban areas creates a heavy burden to the provision of basic needs and necessities for the town of Katima Mulilo. The situation is being normalized with various projects such as rural electrification, rural (pipeline) water supply and financial assistance for rural projects.

Community Development

The number of community development conservancies that has been created is benefiting rural communities immensely by providing much needed income. New laws, such as the Married Persons Equality Act and the new rape Act enable woman to have equal rights to man. However, they continue to be physically and mentally abused at home and in the community. Abuse seems to be worse in the urban centres, where unemployment and alcohol abuse are high. Women and child, who have been physically beaten and or raped, need a place where they can receive emergency treatment, counseling and protection, where their cases are reported and arrests made against the perpetrators. Woman and Child Protection Unit has been created to address community-based violence.

Education and Training

The Region comprises of 102 schools of which 48 are primaries, 43 combined and 11 secondary schools. Latest educational management information system for 2012 indicated that 29,808 were enrolled for that specific year alone in both preprimary, primary and secondary school. There are three institutions of higher learning in town which namely University of Namibia (UNAM), Polytechnic of Namibia (Polytechnic) and Zambezi Vocational Training Centre. Other long distance learning institutions are; Namibia College of Learning (NAMCOL), Institute of Open Learning (IOL), International University of Management and UNISA.