Windhoek: Minister of Urban and Rural Development, James Sankwasa, emphasized the need for traditional leaders to adhere to customary laws to prevent leadership disputes and foster community progress. His remarks were delivered on his behalf at the commencement of a five-day training workshop focusing on the legal framework for traditional leaders.

According to Namibia Press Agency, Sankwasa urged traditional leaders to exercise tolerance and respect for customary laws to avoid leadership conflicts. He highlighted the primary responsibilities of traditional leaders, which include promoting peace, ensuring observance of customary law, preserving culture and tradition, and advancing equality within their communities.

Sankwasa stressed the importance of performing these duties in alignment with national values and policies while collaborating with the government. He called for traditional leaders to assist law enforcement in crime prevention, inform community members of developmental initiatives, and settle disputes according to customary law.

The minister reaffirmed the government's commitment to supporting traditional leaders and identified a lack of understanding between national and customary laws as a source of existing issues. He urged attendees of the workshop to utilize the training to better serve their communities in compliance with legal provisions.

Five traditional authorities from the ||Kharas Region and two from the Hardap Region are participating in the workshop. The training aims to enhance skills in community development, dispute resolution, communal land management, and customary laws, empowering leaders to address disputes using customary law.