The Kavango East Regional Council is visiting all constituencies in the region, allowing residents to express themselves on the various issues in their area, particularly service delivery. 

Residents from Mukwe Constituency who gathered at Rhudiva village say, even though they have six power transformers in the village, a number of households are still not benefiting. 

Disho Erastus Moyo, secretary of Mukwe's Village Development Committee, says, "We feel left out because this only benefits other places but not where the electricity is stationed or where it is coming from, especially Rhudiva, where villagers have their land for the power station to be constructed. We could have benefited a long time ago or given a priority for us before others."

The residents also bemoaned the lack of water supply in the village.

"At Rhudiva village there is a record of 21 incidences of human-wildlife conflict resulting in people and animals losing their lives due to crocodile and hippo attacks. Even though we live near the river, it is costing our lives, and it has become a threat, especially to the minors since the school is near the river. Motivate the Directorate of Water Supply to complete the borehole they drilled four years back; it's incomplete, and they never came back or informed the VDC why this project is still pending."

The villagers also say young children still walk long distances to school.

"Our own data collection on the matter shows that more than 50 learners from pre-grade to grade 3 travel 7 kilometres to and from Shadipwera Primary School to attend school. This is a dire situation since these children travel through harsh conditions like rain and cold and hot weather, and they are also at risk of coming across human trafficking and kidnapping and wildlife conflict since they pass through bushes."

Lack of youth empowerment projects and job opportunities and the absence of tarred roads and compensation for victims of human-wildlife conflict are but some of the issues raised. 

Residents say the open market, now clocking 14 years, remains incomplete although it was funded. 

Mukwe Constituency Councillor Augusta Katembo says their concerns have been heard. 

"The regional council will compile a report, and this report will come to the regional council to discuss and delegate a solution. It's not a one-man show; it's for all of us. We are going to decide what to do with their complaints."

The engagement also allowed directors and leaders from various ministries to respond to the complaints on the spot.