Auleria Wakudumo
ONAMEGA – Governor of the Ohangwena region, Kadiva Hamutumwa, has expressed concern that many rural youths are missing out on government opportunities such as the Youth Development Fund due to a lack of knowledge and guidance.
Speaking during her visit to the Uukwambi Traditional Authority’s chief, Ndilimani Herman Iipumbu, at his homestead in Onamega village, Hamutumwa stressed the importance of empowering young people with accurate information.
“Thousands of youth from across Namibia applied for the first Youth Development Fund, yet many in rural areas could not benefit because they did not fully understand the requirements. We must continue educating our youth so that they can take advantage of such opportunities, start businesses and venture into agriculture which remains the backbone of our economy,” she stressed.
Hamutumwa recently concluded her familiarisation tour of constituencies and traditional authorities in and around the Ohangwena region.
She pledged to work closely with local leaders to ensure communities are kept informed about development initiatives. She said traditional authorities are well
positioned to spread correct information at the grassroots level.
During the visit, Chief Iipumbu called on traditional leaders to unite and strengthen cooperation, just as they did before the introduction of modern regional divisions.
Reflecting on his childhood, he recalled how families relied on one another by exchanging goods across territories.
“Growing up, I recall the good relationships between traditional authorities. Our parents would send us to the salt pans, and we would take salt to Oukwanyama. From there, we would return with eenyandi and owalende. We want to go back to those good times and work together as one Namibian people,” he said.
The chief expressed concern that regional boundaries and modern challenges have weakened the spirit of unity. He highlighted issues such as illegal land fencing, land grabbing and frequent fires in grazing areas, which threaten livelihoods and continue to create disputes.
He also warned about the rise of revival churches, saying that while faith plays an important role, certain practices are creating mistrust within families and communities.
“People used to depend on their neighbours for help. If you needed water or food, your neighbour would assist. Today, that spirit is fading because people are told their neighbours are bewitching them,” he noted.
Iipumbu stressed that faith should heal and bring people together. He added that even in the Bible, Jesus healed without revealing who caused the suffering.
“If you can heal, why create hatred? “he asked, adding that these claims are dividing families and many of them are not even true.