Ondangwa
The King of the Ondonga Traditional Authority, Kauluma Elifas, has implored regional councils to consult traditional authorities when declaring settlement areas, as traditional authorities are losing money as a result of the proliferation of areas under their jurisdiction being proclaimed as settlements.
In a speech read on his behalf by the Ondonga Traditional Council’s chairperson Peter Kauluma, he said that traditional authorities are losing out on levies generated from the people in the communal areas served by traditional leaders.
King Kauluma, who also serves as the chairperson of the Council of Traditional Leaders, advised regional councils to consult traditional authorities before effecting the changes.
Equally, Kauluma was dismayed about the increase in stock theft. Kauluma called upon traditional leaders to vigilantly combat stock theft by assisting law enforcement agencies in apprehending offenders within their areas of jurisdiction.
Kauluma made these remarks at the 18th annual meeting of the Council of Traditional Leaders held in Ondangwa on Monday.
He also expressed concern over the skyrocketing cement prices. “We call upon relevant ministries to look into this matter as our people are eager to have a roof over their heads, but they are being challenged by the high cement price,” he said.
Similarly, Kauluma also called upon society to change their attitudes particularly towards alcohol consumption in order to fight poverty in the country.
He also implored traditional leaders to address alcohol abuse. Kauluma further called on the government to enforce strict regulations on alcohol sales, including homebrews, particularly in rural areas. According to Kauluma, currently elders leave their homes in the morning only to return late in the evening, which is another concern.
Kauluma also echoed President Hage Geingob’s concern about traditional disputes.
Kauluma pleaded with traditional leaders to bring an end to unnecessary fighting over traditional authority boundaries. He advised traditional authorities to consult and seek proper solutions instead of fighting each other. Kauluma also called on the government through the Council of Churches in Namibia to scrutinize the authenticity of churches.
“Some of these churches are money-making institutions which deceive their congregations by making them believe in false prophecies, causing disunity among families,” said Kauluma.