Omusati Region Research Articles

Knowledge of breastfeeding women regarding exclusive breastfeeding in one district in Omusati region, Namibia.

Breast milk is needed for the growth and development of the baby; therefore, a woman should breastfeed exclusively for six months for the baby to get all the necessary nutrients. Breastfeeding mother's knowledge on exclusive breastfeeding plays an important role in the baby's growth. To determine and describe the knowledge of breastfeeding women regarding exclusive breastfeeding in the Outapi District, Omusati region. A quantitative, descriptive research design was used. The population were all women in nine clinics in Outapi district breastfeeding babies aged 0 to 6 months. The target population consisted of 401 lactating mothers of postnatal attendance with babies from 0-6 months in the Outapi district, in nine clinics. Cluster sampling was used to select clinic according to higher attendance, low and moderate attendance and three clinic were selected. The sample size was calculated using Solvin's formula. Simple random sampling was used to select the sample size of 200 participants. Data were collected using a self developed questionnaires that collected socio-demographic information and knowledge questions. Data was analysed using SPSS version 26. Descriptive statistics generating frequencies and percentages. The results revealed that majority of the participants have knowledge regarding exclusive breastfeeding, include, the definition, the importance and advantages of breastfeeding. Most of the participants have higher knowledge on the importance of colostrum, complementary feeding as well as the importance of breastfeeding in disease prevention on the mother and the baby. The overlall knowledge of participants were higher. The study found out that most of the particpants are aged 20 to 31 years old, single and unemployed. The study have identified that participants have higher knowledge regarding exclusive breastfeeding. The study recommended that the Ministry of Health and Social Services (MoHSS) should institute strategies and actions that can help breastfeeding mothers to better utilize their knowledge on practicing exclusive breastfeeding and enshrined in the nutritional policy to promote health and wellbeing of new-born babies.

Teachers’ Experiences in Learning Support Implementation at Junior Primary Phase in a Semi-Rural Circuit in the Omusati Region

Teachers’ Experiences in Learning Support Implementation at Junior Primary Phase in a Semi-Rural Circuit in the Omusati Region

Challenges Facing the Implementation of the New School Curriculum in Namibian Secondary Schools

The purpose of this study was to investigate the challenges that are faced by secondary schools in implementing the revised curriculum in Outapi Circuit of Omusati Region. The study used a qualitative research methodology, which employed a case study design. Semi structured interview and open-ended questionnaire were used to obtain data from the participants and respondents. The sample was made up of teachers and schools principals who were purposively sampled because of their typicality to the subject of research. The collected data was analysed using thematic analysis method. Key findings reveal that the implementation of the revised curriculum was faced by challenges related to shortages of instructional material and limited funding provisions, teachers’ perceptions and attitudes towards the revised curriculum, as well as the lack of training and continuous support provisions to both teachers and school principals as they were not involved in curriculum development. The study concluded that the implementation of the revised curriculum was characterised by flaws which had negative implications on the process of teaching and learning. Stakeholders in charge of curriculum implementation should be cognisant of the challenges facing the implementation of the curriculum, and devise mechanisms to minimise the negative implications of the challenges for successful teaching and learning.

Factors influencing the retention of clients in oral pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) care at 3 months after initiation in the Omusati region of Namibia

BackgroundThe United Nations has set a target of ending the HIV/AIDS epidemic as a public health threat by 2030. The WHO recommended the use of oral pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) for HIV prevention for all people at substantial risk of HIV infection in 2016. In Namibia since the adoption of PrEP in 2016, many clients have been initiated on PrEP. ObjectivesThe objectives of this study were to measure clients’ rate of PrEP retention at three months and determine factors that influence it in the Omusati region of Namibia. MethodsAn analytical cross-sectional design was used for this study. Three hundred and forty-five participants were selected for this study using a simple random sampling method. The data were collected from the Electronic Patient Monitoring System (EPMS). Chi-square tests and logistic regression were used for data analysis. ResultsThe retention rate in PrEP care at three months was 60 %. The Chi-square tests showed significant associations between age, sex, sexually transmitted infection (STI) symptoms, marital status, HIV status and viral load of partner, number of sexual partners, and retention in PrEP care at three months (p < 0.05). Logistic regression analysis revealed that females and those with STI symptoms were more likely to be retained in PrEP care, Adjusted Odds Ratio (AOR) = 2.21, 95 % CI (1.36–3.57), and AOR = 4.25, 95 % CI (1.23–14.63), respectively. Participants with HIV-negative/unknown status partners and with multiple/concurrent sexual partners were less likely to continue with PrEP, Crude Odds Ratio (COR) = 0.56, 95 % CI (0.36–0.86), COR = 0.39, 95 % CI (0.16–0.96), respectively. ConclusionThe findings of this study accentuate the need for increased provision of information on the importance of the continuation of PrEP.

Radiocarbon Investigation of the Historic African Baobabs of Omusati, Namibia

The Omusati region belongs to historic Ovamboland, an area of northern Namibia populated by tribes of the Ovambo group. Four very large African baobabs of Omusati played an important role in historic events of the area, such as the tribal wars and the Namibian War of Independence. The four historic baobabs are the Ombalantu baobab (8 stems; circumference 24.50 m), Okahao baobab (4+ stems; around 25 m), Amadhila baobab (12 stems; 25.35 m) and Sir Howard baobab (9 stems; 31.60 m). Two historic baobabs collapsed totally or partially. The stems of the Amadhila baobab toppled and died in 2021, while 3 stems of the Okahao baobab collapsed a long time ago, but are still alive. Our research aimed to determine the architecture and age of these baobabs. Three baobabs (Ombalantu, Amadhila, Sir Howard) exhibit a closed ring-shaped structure, with a false cavity inside. One baobab (Okahao) had an open ring-shaped structure, before its collapse. Several wood cores were extracted from the baobabs and investigated by radiocarbon dating. The dating results indicate ages of 770 ± 50 years for the Ombalantu baobab, 650 ± 50 years for the Okahao baobab, 1100 ± 50 years for the Amadhila baobab and 750 ± 50 years for the Sir Howard baobab.

Older Caregivers of HIV/AIDS Children in Namibia: The Association between Loneliness, Depression, and Life Satisfaction

Namibia has one of the highest HIV prevalence rates in the world. Older relatives in Namibia are taking the lead role in caring for children living with HIV, or orphaned as their parents had HIV. There has been a growing attention to the well-being and mental health of these older adult caregivers in sub-Saharan Africa; however, there is a lack of information on the intertwined factors such as loneliness and depression to their life satisfaction. Therefore, this study aimed to explore the relationship between loneliness and depression on life satisfaction among older caregivers of children living with HIV or AIDS in rural Namibia. This cross-sectional study recruited 100 Oshiwambo speaking caregivers over age 60 in the Omusati region to complete a study instrument measuring their levels of loneliness, depression and perceived life satisfaction. Using hierarchical regression method, this study found that both loneliness and depression were significantly associated with lower levels of perceived life satisfaction among our sample. Medical care or insurance and awareness of social services were both associated with higher levels of perceived life satisfaction. Social service professionals and policy makers in Namibia should consider designing culturally appropriate interventions aimed at addressing these important mental health related concerns of older rural caregivers.

Social support, religiosity, and depression among older caregivers of HIV/AIDS children in rural Namibia

ABSTRACT The study of older caregiving is emerging as an important area of research in HIV endemic communities. This study explored the role of social support/network and religiosity in predicting depressive symptoms among older caregivers (N = 100) from the Omusati region in rural Namibia, Africa. Hierarchical multivariate regression results showed that higher levels of social support/network and intrinsic religiosity were significantly associated with lower levels of depressive symptoms. This study suggests the need for mental health professionals in Namibia to invest in and employ evidence-based social support and religious coping interventions for older caregivers of people living with HIV/AIDS.

Towards a common Oshikwanyama official orthography for Namibia and Angola

This paper emanates from a serious debate that took place at Okalongo, in Omusati Region, between the author of this salient paper, and some University of Namibia students, specialising in Oshikwanyama. This debate compelled the author of this study to explore further on the writing systems that prevail in Oshikwanyama. The disagreement was on the writing systems that are observed between Oshikwanyama used in Namibia and the Oshikwanyama used in Angola. Oshikwanyama, as a cross-border language, is one of the twelve dialects of Oshiwambo. Oshikwanyama’s writing system is adapted differently. In Namibia, it is written disjunctively, while in Angola, it is officially written conjunctively, especially when it comes to the treatment of verbs (Although, there was an attempt established in a meeting that was held in 2014 at a cultural festival in Ondjiva in Angola, headed by Pedro Tongeni, where it was agreed for the Angolans to adopt to the Oshikwanyama writing system used in Namibia. However, it is not yet officially approved by these two nations.) This is a qualitative study influenced by purposive sampling and content analysis. This study’s theoretical ideas are those of Cole (1975) who believes that Bantu languages should follow their writing system, instead of those of Indo-European languages. In this study’s literature review, a short overview of these two writing systems is provided by various scholars in the linguistic discipline, with special focus on Bantu languages (Prinsloo &amp; De Schryver, 2002; Taljard &amp; Bosch, 2006). Adapting to a common writing system and perhaps coming up with a common official orthography, preferably Orthography 4 of Oshikwanyama, where the two countries will be following in writing future materials, is of paramount importance, and it is what this study recommends.

Teachers’ views on challenges affecting learners’ performance in natural science

In Namibia, natural science (NS) is one of the priority subjects in upper primary phases (Grades 4 to 7). However, in the Omusati Region of Namibia, there are increasing public concerns that many learners are not performing well in NS. Thus, this study surveyed the views of NS teachers on the challenges affecting upper primary learners’ performance in NS at three selected combined schools in the Omusati Region. Qualitative research design using face-to-face interview was used to gather the views of upper primary NS teachers in the schools. Seven teachers who are currently teaching NS at the selected schools were selected using the purposive sampling method to participate in the study. The results obtained revealed that the following challenges affect upper primary learners’ performance in NS in the selected schools: medium of instruction, lack of adequate teaching and learning resources, lack of laboratories, sensitive topics, overcrowded classroom, indiscipline among learners, absenteeism, unfavorable teaching environment, hunger, and lack of proper guidance from subject advisory teachers. The study recommended that the government should provide schools with feeding programs, build laboratories, renovate classes and provide teaching materials. The schools should evolve disciplinary measures to check the learners’ indiscipline.

Oshiholekwa shokushanga onomola (4) mOshikwanyama she uya kombada

This paper emanates from a debate that took place in April 2020 at Onheleiwa between some UNAM students specialising in Oshikwanyama and one Oshikwanyama teacher working at one of the secondary schools in Omusati Region over the writing of number four (4) in Oshikwanyama. The writers of this study have then been compelled to explore deeply on how number four (4) is and should be written in Oshikwanyama. This study’s literature review is that of the Bantu writing system of numbers as well as publications written in Oshikwanyama. This is a qualitative study controlled by text analysis and interviews as methods of gathering data. Interviews focusing on the members of the public, elders, teachers and some scholars on how this number is written in Oshikwanyama have been conducted. The Interviewees’ answers were not that satisfactory. The common answer that has been provided by the members of the public is that, there is no common way of writing this number. Everyone can write it the way he or she feels is appropriate, although there is no a concrete reason why it should be written that way, apart from “osho ashike hashi shangwa ngaho” = that is how it is written, the answer which has no bearing at all. According to the investigation the researchers of this study have made, number four in Oshikwanyama is inconsistently written. Some people write it as ne while others write it as nhee. After a deep investigation was done, it is revealed that number 4 is written differently based on different lexical items’ environments. It has been found that number 4 is written as “nhee” when a person is counting things that belong to Oshikwanyama noun class 4 and 10 (cf. Oshikwanyama 18 noun classes). This study recommends all future Oshikwanyama writers to write number 4 correctly as discussed thoroughly in this paper.&#x0D; &#x0D; Ombapila ei oya etwa po sha dilila peemhata da ningilwe kOnheleiwa odo da li pokati kovahongwa vamwe vaUNAM tave lihongele Oshikwanyama nomuhongi umwe wOshikwanyama ha longo kuimwe yomeesekundofikola domOmusati shi na sha nokushanga onomola 4 mOshikwanyama. Ovanyoli voshinyolwa eshi ova fininikwa opo va shitilile moule nhumbi onolomola ei mOshikwanyama hai shangwa noi na okushangwa. Omishangwa da longifwa moshinyolwa eshi ododo dOshibantu osho yo oinyolwa ya nyanyangidwa mOshikwanyama. Oshinyolwa eshi osholudi loinyolwa oyo hai ya po unene mokulongifa oitya nomadiladilo omoule, kwa longifwa elesho loinyolwa osho yo omukalo womapulapulo, ongomikalo dokukonga ouyelele. Omapulapulo epekapeko okwa li a pulwa ovakwashiwana, ovakulunhu, ovahongi osho yo ovanongononi vomishangwa shi na sha neshango eli lonomola 4 mOshikwanyama. Omanyamukulo ovakufimbinga va pulapulwa hao naana a li taa etifa eenghono. Enyamukulo la yandjwa kuvahapu vovakwashiwana ololo tali ti unene mOshikwanyama kamu na naana omukalo wokushanga onomola ei. Keshe umwe oha shange ashike omukalo ou e wete kutya u li mondjila, nonande kape na nande etomheno lofaafaa olo tali koleke enyamukulo laye, kakele kwaali tali ti “osho ashike hai shangwa ngaho”, enyamukulo olo lihe na omakanghameno nandenande. She likwatelela nee komashitililokonakono a ningwa kovapekapeki voshinyolwa eshi, onomola ei ohai shangwa sha yooloka. Vamwe ohave i shange ne omangha vamwe have i shange nhee. Konima nee yomashitililokonakono aa omoule, okwa monikwa kutya mboli onomola ei ohai shangwa sha yooloka, she likwatelela keyooloko olo hali hangwa moitya. Okwa monika nee kutya mboli onomola 4 ohai shangwa nhee ngeenge omunhu ta valula oinima i li mongudu onhi-4 osho yo onhi-10 yomeengudutyadina 18 dOshikwanyama. Oshinyolwa eshi otashi faneke ovashangi aveshe vOshikwanyama kohainga va shange onomola ei 4 mondjila, ngaashi naana sha popiwa nokukundafanwa nawanawa moshinyolwa eshi.

Local participation in decentralized water governance: insights from north-central Namibia

Although several semi-arid African countries are decentralizing water services and attempting to increase the participation of local actors in water resource management, how effectively this is working, and whether it is improving water access, is not yet well researched. Little attention has been paid to the capacities (in terms of knowledge and resources) that local actors need to successfully influence the operation and management of water services they are made responsible for. In a qualitative study, we asked regional and local actors in the Omusati Region of north-central Namibia for their perspectives on how water reforms, initiated in the late 1990s, have impacted on their participation in water governance. Our analysis reveals that decentralized governance of water resources can be ineffective if governments do not allocate sufficient resources to support and enable local actors to participate efficiently and effectively in the governance system. In the context of the Paris Agreement and the Sustainable Development Goals, achieving greater equity and efficiency in the water sector while reducing climate risk will require that local actors receive more support in return for fuller and more effective participation. We suggest that policy and practice around decentralized water governance pay more attention to building the capacities of local actors to absorb the responsibilities transferred to them.

The development of vegetable enterprises in the presence of transaction costs among farmers in Omusati Region of Namibia: An assessment

The paper investigates how transaction characteristics influence the development of vegetable enterprises among smallholder farmers in north-central Namibia. As transaction costs are difficult to measure the theoretical framework of analysis is based on transaction costs economics of new institutional economics. The results revealed that the spot market-based governance structure was the most preferred market arrangements by smallholders farmers in north-central Namibia because vegetable farmers struggle to meet the quality and quantity standards as required by the contractors market-based and commission market-based arrangements. The results also suggest that due to incomplete information, farmers and market agents suffer from high transaction costs. Skewed information distribution between farmers and marketing agents leads to slow development of vegetable enterprises. The study recommends that information shared to farmers must be packaged in an adequate manner to minimise transaction costs in the vegetable value chain.

Language ideology, policy and classroom practices in Oshiwambo speaking areas, Northern Namibia

The study problematized language ideologies and policy to explore the efficacy of using English as the Language of Learning and Teaching (LOLT) among Oshiwambo speaking learners in the Omusati region of Northern Namibia. Focus group interviews with ESL teachers, interviews with the English Head of Departments (HODs), classroom observations and informal chats with the grade 12 learners were carried out at six secondary schools. The study finds that students struggle to partake in meaningful classroom interaction and to comprehend instruction and content in English. Although students may express themselves better in Oshiwambo, they are not allowed. Some ESL teachers would use Oshiwambo to maintain order in class, but avoid using Oshiwambo to help struggling learners believing this would negatively impact learners’ English proficiency. Some ESL teachers were also found to blame ESL content subject teachers for learners’ poor English proficiency, as they used Oshiwambo in class to teach and explain content. We conclude that ESL classroom practice is teacher-centred by default, and students are muted as they find themselves with no voice to express themselves efficiently and efficaciously, and deaf to classroom content delivered in an unfamiliar language, English

Why Goat Farming in Northern Communal Areas of Namibia Is not Commercialised: The Case of Ogongo Constituency

In Namibia, goat products are not found in the formal markets include retail shops. This is despite several attempts by the government of Namibia to promote goat products in the formal sector. At household level however, goat meat is a delicacy. This study therefore seeks to provide possible reasons for the unavailability of goat products in Northern Namibia focussing on the supply side of the goat market. A structured survey questionnaire was employed among 75 goat farmers in Ogongo Constituency, Omusati Region in North Central Namibia. The data sought included production, offtake and marketing of goats as well as challenges faced. Descriptive statistics were used to analyse the data and multiple linear regression was employed to determine the factors influencing offtake rate. The offtake rate (percent of goats sold) was estimated as 2.8% from the data, which is very low. The offtake rate was significantly influenced by age of the head of household (p&amp;lt;0.01), education level of the household head (p&amp;lt;0.01) and marital status (p&amp;lt;0.01). On the other hand, goat production was affected by other challenges such as unavailability of marketing infrastructure, diseases, grazing shortages, and frequent droughts. The implications of these findings on policy include provision of incentives to farmers to sale as well as providing marketing infrastructure. Thus the study recommends the sensitization of communal farmers on economic potential of selling goats to alleviate poverty and to improve livelihoods through income generation.

Perception of Extension Officials on Technology Adoption by Rural Farmers in Omusati Region of Namibia

Agricultural production in northern Namibia is affected by erratic rainfall, low soil fertility, limited access to credit, pest and disease incidences as well as limited use of new agricultural innovations. Despite efforts by the government to increase farmers’ productivity, adoption rate of modern innovations is however, still very low among rural farmers. The purpose of this study is to find out the perceptions of the agricultural extension officials on the technology adoption by the farmers in Omusati region. The research questions focused on soliciting information on perceptions of extension officials on agricultural innovations among rural farmers. A purposive sampling method was used to collect data from agricultural extension officials using a structured questionnaire. The data was analysed using frequencies and cross tabulations for descriptive statistics. The results indicate that most public extension officials feel that they are not specialised in all areas that they need to assist farmers in, area of jurisdiction is too large, and the allowable kilometres for visiting farmers are too low. Furthermore, the results showed that farmers do not attend meetings, farmers fail to follow instructions, farmers lack interest in new technology, extension officials are not adequately trained on new innovations and have too much administrative work among others. The study concluded that the extension officials perceive technology adoption among rural farmers to be moderate (average) due to both extension officials and farmers’ related factors such as farmers not following instructions and farmers not attending meetings where information on technology is shared. The study thus recommends that there is need for training of extension officials on new technology use, hiring more extension officials, hiring office assistants to assist with office administrative work and create awareness among farmers on aspects that can enhance technology adoption by farmers.

Abundance, structure and uses of Baobab (Adansonia digitata L.) populations in Omusati Region, Namibia

The baobab (Adansonia digitata L.) tree has multiple uses and is highly valued in Southern Africa, particularly in the rural communities where people depend on this resource for their livelihoods. However, few studies have been conducted on the usefulness of this high value plant species in Namibia. The aim of this study was to document the biology and local uses of baobab populations in Outapi and Onesi sites in Omusati Region, Namibia. A comparison of densities, distribution patterns, structure, phenology, stem conditions and uses of baobabs between the two sites was done.Road transects were used to identify focal trees which in turn were used to determine the placement of circular plots. In each plot, diameter at breast height (dbh) of adult and sub-adult trees, height of adults, sub-adults and saplings and their stem conditions, number of fruits on each fruiting baobab tree, occurrence data and the land-use types where baobabs occurred were recorded.The results revealed significant differences in the dbh-size and height classes between the two study sites. The bell-shaped distribution curve in dbh size-classes in the two sites suggests poor recruitment. The results revealed that Onesi villagers made more use of the baobab tree than Outapi urban residents. Some of the common uses of baobabs in both study sites included the use of baobab fruit for human consumption and the use of the baobab bark and leaves as livestock fodder. Additionally, the people of Outapi and Onesi use the baobab fruit and bark to treat certain ailments such as cold, flu and diarrhea.

Understanding the current state of collaboration in the production and dissemination of adaptation knowledge in Namibia

Adaptation to climate change is challenging in terms of managing knowledge flow among diverse actors. This paper examines the roles of key actors in Namibia in the production and dissemination of climate adaptation knowledge. The intention was to identify opportunities for enhancing collaboration among actors to facilitate knowledge flow and uptake in adaptation action. The Omusati Region was used as a case study in understanding the chain of interactions among actors from local/district to the national level vis-à-vis the production and dissemination of adaptation knowledge in Namibia. The researchers conducted key informant interviews with representatives of key organizations in the Namibian adaptation network operating in the Omusati Region. The selection of the organizations of interviewed respondents was based on a previous climate change adaptation stakeholder and influence network mapping exercise in the region. Results indicate that adaptation knowledge generation by organizations happens mainly in the context of other developmental services. Furthermore, most organizations generate their adaptation knowledge internally through their directorates of research and also through cooperation with other organizations. However, there is little or no collaboration between organizations with respect to dissemination of adaptation knowledge to intended targets. The study, therefore, recommends a more concerted effort towards improving collaboration between organizations, and with local communities in the dissemination of adaptation knowledge as a way of enhancing knowledge uptake. This will have practical implications for the improvement in the rate of knowledge uptake in adaptation actions, particularly at the local level. In this regard, the use of workshop and field day meetings show the best prospect for improving collaboration between organizations in knowledge dissemination.

Perception of Farmers on Conservation Agriculture for Climate Change Adaptation in Namibia

Traditional cultivation methods in Namibia are characterised by cultivating the same type of crops persistently on the same piece of land, using a disc or mouldboard plough with minimal to no fertilizer application. This study assessed the knowledge level of farmers' on conservation agriculture and the household factors,which influence farmers to take up conservation agriculture in the Omusati Region of Namibia. Both socioeconomic and biophysical data were collected through household face-to-face interviews from 40 households located in seven constituencies of the Omusati Region. The results showed that technological know-how, limited agricultural inputs and implements for conservation agriculture hindered the uptake of conservation agriculture. In addition, lack of crop residues for mulching purposes and little understanding of the importance of crop rotation were identified as barriers to practice conservation agriculture. Logistic regression analysis showed that age, gender, marital status, education level, crop field size and farming period did not significantly influence the adoption of conservation agriculture. The study indicates that there is a need to encourage the use of climate smart agriculture technologies such as conservation agriculture, which minimizes the negative impacts of dry spells in order to maximize crop production and increase farmers' understanding on the principles of conservation agriculture. Thus, strategies and policies to reduce poverty need to consider local contexts, social norms and values. In this regard, engagement of local farmers and demonstration of the short and long-term benefits of conservation agricultural practices offer promising entry points.

Determining the degree of deforestation in the Omusati Region, northern Namibia, with the aid of drone imagery

Determining the degree of deforestation in the Omusati Region, northern Namibia, with the aid of drone imagery

Assessment of the African baobab (Adansonia digitata L.) populations in Namibia: Implications for conservation

This study assessed the population structure of baobabs (Adansonia digitata) in Kunene, Omusati, Otjozondjupa and Zambezi Regions in northern Namibia. Data were collected from 240 trees in randomly selected baobab clusters. The stem girth at breast height (gbh, converted to stem diameter), height and crown diameter were recorded for each individual tree. Any sign of damage on the stem was recorded. Average stem densities were determined and compared between regions. Stem number per diameter classes were presented in histograms. The highest baobab density (6.7 stems per ha) was observed in Omusati Region and the lowest (0.2 stems per ha) was observed in Otjozondjupa Region. A J-shaped stem diameter distribution was observed in Zambezi Region and an inverse J-shaped distribution in Kunene Region. Bell-shaped distributions were observed in Otjozondjupa and Omusati Regions. The percentage of damaged stems in the sampled populations showed more damaged than undamaged baobabs in Kunene (63%), Omusati (83%) and Otjozondjupa (95%), but in Zambezi there were fewer damaged (46%) stems. Elephant damage accounted for 41% of the damaged stems whereas human damage was 59%. Selective protection of large baobabs by communities may attribute to the high densities and occurrence of trees in larger size classes in comparison to juveniles. Overall, the baobab population is currently considered as stable in Namibia. However, factors that negatively affect recruitment and establishment of baobab need to be monitored to ensure that a higher proportion of young trees survive. The study recommends protection and propagation of baobab seedlings in order to maintain viable populations of the species. Sustainable harvesting practices of baobab bark is also recommended.