President Hage Geingob has called on traditional leaders to lead in unity and harmony, stressing that 30 per cent of his time is spent on traditional disputes and infighting.
Speaking during a courtesy visit by the leader of the Ondonga Traditional Authority, Fillemon Shuumbwa Nangolo and his delegation on Wednesday at State House, Geingob fumed that Namibia is a diverse country with different ethnic groups, and traditional leaders should therefore contribute to the development of the country on unity and diversity.
Geingob’s call follows recent media reports that a faction of the Ovaherero Traditional Authority (OTA) warned the Ministry of Urban and Rural Development that they will not accept interference in its affairs after the ministry did not recognise Mutjinde Katjiua as the Ovaherero paramount chief while endorsing Chief Vipuira Kapuuo, who is the chairperson of the chief’s council.
“We can’t deny that we are coming from different ethnic groups, or have white people here, but we are all Namibians. Currently, we are seeing tendencies, a tendency of even accusing the minister. We cannot interfere with traditional leadership things, that is not our business. If there is a tradition, use the tradition to elect the person according to traditional customs,” Geingob said.
Making reference to Nangolo, Geingob said the Ondanga Traditional Authority has shown diversity in its leadership, noting that it should be exemplary to show the role of traditional leaders as custodians of maintaining culture and traditional customs.
Geingob further urged traditional leaders to desist from tribalism and racism, stressing that Namibia is a big country with different ethnic groups.
At the same occasion, Nangolo assured the president of his commitment to lead the people of Ondonga, which consist of over 7000 villages, in dignified traditional customs, unity, peace and to contribute to the development of Namibia.
Nangolo also noted that the authority, under the current rainy season, has cultivated 50 hectares of maize mill earmarked to contribute to the government’s drought relief programme.
Source: The Namibian Press Agency
