By Helvy Shaanika
OKATHIMA KANANGOLO – The Uukwambi Traditional Authority has with immediate effect appointed Namibian Broadcasting Corporation (NBC) Senior Manager of the Oshiwambo Language Service Helena Shiimbi as the new head of the village of Okathima Kanangolo. She succeeds her elderly father in the position.
Shiimbi was sworn in last Friday during a high profile event attended by the Founding Father of the Namibian Nation, Dr. Sam Nujoma, the NBC Director General Albertus Aochamub and Uukwaluudhi King Hosea Shikongo Taapopi among others. She was sworn-in by Maria Angungu, a traditional judge of the Uukwambi Traditional Council. Nujoma who delivered the keynote address applauded the community of Okathima kaNangolo for choosing a woman to head their village. The founding president said by choosing Shiimbi to head the village the community has simply embraced what was agreed upon during the last Swapo Party Congress to adopt 50/50 gender representation at all levels of governance. He urged other communities and traditional authorities to follow the example set by the people of Okathima kaNangolo. Nujoma further pledged his unwavering support towards Shiimbi during her tenure. “We want peace and stability. If you are struggling, let us know, call us so that we can clean up for you,” said Nujoma.
Born Helena Yakuleni Jeremia, Shiimbi (56) the last born of two girls was appointed by her elderly father, tatekulu Hafeni Jeremia who has been the village headman since 1953. “Because of old age and ill health, I have decided to hand over the leadership of this village to a girl, the girl who is now a woman by the name of Helena Shiimbi. I gave it to her in peace and I will be grateful if you have all accepted her as my successor. I want her to be a leader and follow my example, she should do what I used to do,” said tatekulu Jeremia.
In a brief history of his family, tatekulu Jeremia said he is a descendant of the Uukwaluudhi royal family and his family’s existence in Uukwambi can be traced back to the period between 1875 and 1907 when some of their ancestors left Uukwaluudhi. King Taapopi, a distant uncle who has also written a book on the family tree of the Uukwaluudhi royal family urged Shiimbi to be careful in her judgment as a traditional leader and to carefully scrutinise matters before she makes any final decision. “Some people would come to you, reporting things to you for you to react, because they simply want to put you in trouble. I am also urging you, the community members, to be truthful with her and not to lie,” said Taapopi. Shiimbi is also expected to serve as the head of a traditional cluster, consisting of about six villages.