Chinchimani – The chief of the Mafwe Traditional Authority, George Simasiku-Mamili VII, has called on residents of the Zambezi region to get vaccinated to protect themselves and their loved ones. Mamili said this in a speech read on his behalf at the mini-celebration of the 22nd Lusata Cultural Festival on Sunday.
“For the past two years now, we have been inhibited from hosting the usual large-scale Lusata celebration due to Covid-19. I therefore implore all our people to be vaccinated against this deadly disease and to continue the Covid protocols,” stated Mamili.
“Vaccination is the only potent weapon at our disposal to halt the decimation of our population as witnessed during the past third wave. Vaccination is indeed the only guarantee our communities and by extension, our nation has to return to normal life.
“Precious lives have been lost at all levels of Namibian society as traditional leaders, local, regional and national leaders of our society are gone… Some of these precious lives lost due to vaccine hesitancy are lives that could have been saved.”
His sentiments were shared by his Ngambela (adviser), Lukopani Maemeko, who paid tribute to Masubia Chief Kisco Maiba Liswani III, and his wife Grace, who succumbed to Covid-19 in July this year, by observing a moment of silence at the beginning of his speech.
“It is not an easy thing for the Masubia to lose their patriarch and matriarch at the same time; nevertheless, our God will comfort us and guide us in the best manner in which to handle this tragedy that befell us,” said Maemeko.
He further stated that Covid-19 has brought many challenges in the country, among others loss of life and income, and it is therefore imperative that people find new ways to adapt to the new normal.
He also urged Zambezi residents to get vaccinated. “Let us not act irresponsibly and without due regard to others by compromising our health, and the health of those around us. I therefore urge all our people to continue to observe the regulations of sanitising their hands, maintaining social distancing and avoiding large gatherings,” stated the Ngambela.
Maemeko also called on members of his community to promote peace, and live in harmony with other traditional authorities.
“We are one people; we share a common heritage and a common ancestry. We cannot afford to fight each other when we are brothers and sisters. If we do not unite, outsiders will take advantage of our differences and weaken all of us,” he stated.