By Frederick Philander WINDHOEK The people of the South face and suffer many almost insurmountable socio-economic and other problems that prevent development in the Karas and Hardap regions. This was the unequivocal message brought to the attention of the Head of State during an official visit last week to State House by a group of traditional leaders from the South under the leadership of Swapo MP, Ida Hoffmann. “There is a vast potential for Southern traditional leaders to work together in view of the challenges they face. These problems include economic development, land conflicts, education, the promotion of human rights, the promotion of democracy in the constituencies and the combating of HIV/AIDS within our communities,” said Chief David Frederick in his capacity as the official spokesperson of the groups when they met with President Hifikepunye Pohamba last Thursday. He reemphasized the position of the traditional leaders as custodians of the customs and traditions that directly affect the status of women and children in development efforts. “Quite often, we are being criticized for carrying out our duties and responsibilities, probably rightfully so. The traditional leadership of the South as an institution has a stake in the governance system, but it has no budget, no administrative capacity, and has insufficient infrastructure to ensure that people benefit from the natural resources in their respective areas,” Frederick complained. He revealed that traditional leaders of the South are being accused of aggravating the spread of HIV/AIDS through the promotion of certain cultural practices. “We would like to welcome the current debate on benefits and allowances of traditional leaders in the National Assembly. We cannot do anything without money as the distances in the Southern regions are vast. That is why we need the President’s full support in reviewing our benefits and allowances for effective service delivery,” he urged. Frederick on behalf of the traditional leadership vehemently objected to the way black economic empowerment is applied in the South. “We have a big problem with the application of BEE in the country. We feel we in the South are left behind and we are not well looked after in terms of BEE strategies, regardless of the many sacrifices we have made for the liberation of this country. We simply feel that the Government is indebted to us in terms of economic empowerment,” the traditional leader from Bethanie said. In his view, the people of the South want their own people to be appointed as CEOs and board members of parastatals in their areas; they want to be included as shareholders in government companies and they need to be offered their rightful place in the Namibian society. “The communities in the South must themselves be allowed to decide what they need and how they want to be governed in the existing democratic dispensation. The traditional leadership is inherently political and this is born from history, custom and practice. However, it has a duty to unite, develop and build up the respective communities. As the custodians of culture, custom and traditions, the leadership should by all means strive to protect these moral values,” he reminded his colleagues at the same occasion. Frederick on behalf of the leaders also expressed fear of the Nama language dying a natural death. “This can be attributed to the acts of some teachers in schools and officials in the office of the education director in the Karas Region. The Nama children, who are not being taught in their mother tongue right through to Grade 12 as a requirement, apparently do not qualify for bursaries,” Frederick charged. In conclusion, he informed the President that a Nama Chiefs Council is in the process of being established in the South. “We have to applaud the Government for the balance between the good things and shortcomings achieved over the past 17 years of independence,” he said. The leader of the delegation, Ida Hoffmann, expressed satisfaction with the outcome of their deliberations with the President. “He has demonstrated that he is an elder and devoted time out of his busy schedule to listen attentively to our problems. We came to State House with anger and tears on our faces, but we walked out with smiles…. The meeting was a resounding success and everyone was happy with the answers given. The President has reiterated that he knows where the Nama people live, where they come from and where to contact them, when and if he needs them,” she said.