By Michael Uugwanga
Why Omeya’s Golf Course Is No Longer Sustainable in an Era of Water Scarcity Namibia is one of the driest countries in sub-Saharan Africa. Climate models consistently project rising temperatures, more frequent droughts, and increasing pressure on already limited groundwater resources.
Against this backdrop, it is necessary to ask an uncomfortable but important question: Does maintaining a golf course in Omeya still make environmental and economic sense?
The answer is increasingly becoming no.
Golf originated in the cool, wet climates of Scotland and Ireland, where rainfall naturally supports extensive green landscapes.
Namibia, by contrast, is defined by water scarcity. Every litre of groundwater extracted for non-essential purposes must therefore be carefully justified.
In a country where water security is becoming one of the defining challenges of the twenty-first century, maintaining large areas of permanently irrigated turf appears increasingly difficult to defend.
The Omeya Estate depends primarily on groundwater resources that are finite and vulnerable.
While discussions about alternative water supplies have taken place, practical and financially viable backup solutions remain uncertain.
If groundwater levels decline significantly or prolonged drought conditions occur, the sustainability of maintaining a golf course will inevitably come into question.
This concern is not theoretical.
Climate change is already affecting southern Africa.
Scientific studies indicate that Namibia is likely to experience higher average temperatures, increased evaporation rates, and more frequent drought periods.
Under such conditions, water-intensive land uses become progressively more difficult to justify.
Beyond water consumption, golf courses require ongoing maintenance involving fertilisers, herbicides, fungicides and pesticides.
While modern golf course management has improved considerably over recent decades, the use of these chemicals still raises legitimate environmental concerns.
Nutrient runoff can contribute to eutrophication in nearby water bodies, while certain pesticides may affect pollinator populations and biodiversity if not carefully managed. Groundwater protection should be a particular priority.
Residents have a legitimate interest in understanding how much water is consumed, which chemicals are applied, and what measures are in place to prevent contamination.
Transparency regarding environmental management is essential whenever shared natural resources are involved.
The question is not whether golf should exist.
The question is whether a water-intensive recreational activity should continue to occupy a privileged position in one of the world’s driest countries.
Public policy must increasingly balance recreational interests against long-term environmental sustainability.
Supporters of golf often argue that golf courses provide economic benefits, recreational opportunities, property value enhancement and green open spaces.
These benefits are real and should be acknowledged.
However, they must be weighed against the environmental costs and the growing uncertainty surrounding future water availability.
As climate pressures intensify, many experts predict that traditional golf courses in arid and semi-arid regions will face increasing challenges.
Professor Kristina Hill of the University of California, Berkeley, has argued that drought, biodiversity loss and climate impacts will force communities to reconsider water-intensive land uses.
What once seemed acceptable may no longer be sustainable in the decades ahead.
For Omeya, the debate should therefore not be about preserving a particular lifestyle or tradition. It should be about responsible stewardship of a scarce natural resource.
Water is not merely another commodity; it is the foundation of life, economic development and future prosperity.
The crucial question is simple: if water becomes increasingly scarce, should it be used to maintain ornamental fairways and greens, or should it be preserved for households, ecosystems and future generations?
In an era of climate change, the answer appears increasingly obvious.
Transforming the Omeya golf course into a low-water public park, nature reserve, or indigenous green space would not represent a loss.
Rather, it would demonstrate foresight, environmental responsibility and a commitment to adapting Namibia’s land use practices to the realities of the twenty-first century.
The future of Namibia will not be determined by how green our golf courses remain. It will be determined by how wisely we manage our water.
