Bukalo
Chief of the Masubia in the Zambezi Region Kisco Maiba Liswani III has called on fellow traditional leaders in the region to unite in the fight against the scourge of tribalism, which remains rife in that part of the country.
In his message to the annual Masubia Cultural Festival on Saturday, Liswani emphasised that it will be a losing battle if the four traditional leaders in the region do not work together to fight tribalism.
“We can only arrest the evil scourge of tribalism and divisions, which are on the rise, if we work together as a collective in our capacities as respective leaders of our people. Indeed, as our local idiom has it, ‘the fish rots from the head’. Let us be exemplary to our subjects,” Liswani pleaded.
He also stressed that the Chief’s Forum, whose aim is to bring together traditional leaders in the region, serves as a perfect platform where traditional leaders can sit and discuss ways to bring about greater unity and social cohesion in the Zambezi Region.
The Masubia chief also observed that cultural festivals provide an ideal opportunity to address issues that cause disunity, as most of the local people attend these festivals.
“This festival, therefore, should be understood in that context. It is during this annual commemoration of the shield-and-the-spear that the Masubia community is called upon to renew its commitment to the maintenance of peace, security and stability with other communities,” stressed the chief.
He further called on his followers, particularly the youth, to refrain from forming or joining groups whose aim is to bring disunity and destabilise peace within the region. In particular, the chief singled out the so-called Caprivi Concerned Group that continues to advocate for the secession of Zambezi from the rest of Namibia.
“I don’t want to hear that any of my subjects are involved with misguided elements and projects, such as the so-called Caprivi Concerned Group,” the chief warned.
Liswani III further said it is about time that government deals decisively with the emerging secessionists: “We call upon other traditional authorities in the region to join the chorus in condemning these activities that potentially scare away investors.”