Otjiwarongo:Six traditional authorities were presented with new vehicles on Tuesday by the Oonani Investments Group of the Namibia Traditional Authorities Trust. The handover ceremony was attended by Deputy Chairperson of the Council of Traditional Leaders in Namibia, Omukwaniilwa Fillemon Shuumbwa Nangolo, alongside Minister of Urban and Rural Development James Sankwasa.

According to NAMPA, the event also saw the presence of Gaob Immanuel /Gaseb, Chairperson of the Council of Traditional Leaders. The six beneficiaries received new 2.8-litre Toyota Hilux double-cab vehicles. Nangolo assured other traditional authorities who did not receive their vehicles that they would receive theirs in April next year.

The recipients of the vehicles include Chief Martha Mwadinomho ya Kristian Nelumbu from the Oukwanyama Traditional Authority in the Ohangwena Region, Chief Glony Arnold from the !Kung San community in Tsumkwe in the Otjozondjupa Region, Chief Jeremia Gaobaeb from the Nama-Daman community in the Kunene Region, and Chief Sofia Mundjembwe from the Shambyu Traditional Authority in the Kavango East Region. Additionally, Chief Dawid Hanse from the !Khar Khoen Traditional Authority in the Hardap Region and Chief Gilbert Muhongo Mutwa from the Masubia Traditional Authority in the Zambezi Region were also beneficiaries.

Minister Sankwasa expressed gratitude towards Oonani Investments Group for procuring the vehicles, highlighting that the funds used were derived from government fishing quotas allocated to the Council of Traditional Leaders. He emphasized the vehicles should be used exclusively for traditional authority matters or community support, such as transporting individuals to hospitals.

Jamie-Lee Nels, Chief Executive Officer of Oonani Investments Group, disclosed that around N$4.2 million was spent on acquiring the vehicles, which include aluminium canopies. The Council of Traditional Leaders in Namibia, consisting of 54 members, is currently convened in Otjiwarongo for their 27th annual meeting, which commenced on Monday and will conclude on Friday, focusing on issues impacting traditional authorities throughout the country.