KATIMA MULILO – The Swapo Party regional leadership has condemned a recent demonstration by the so-called “Concerned Caprivians” over the changing of the name Caprivi to Zambezi.
In a statement issued by its regional mobilisation and information officer Austin Samupwa, the party’s regional leadership appealed to inhabitants of the region not to be misled by the so-called Concerned Caprivians, adding that thorough consultations were undertaken with the traditional authorities, churches, political parties and civil society. “We appeal to the residents of the Zambezi not to be misled by any fleeting voices that pass by, whose purpose is very suspicious,” said Samupwa.
“We reject in the strongest terms the recent demonstration by a few individuals of the Zambezi Region against the change of the name from Caprivi to Zambezi. We confirm that all stakeholders in the Zambezi Region were consulted before the name change was recommended to the delimitation commission. The party leadership further called on inhabitants of the region to rally behind the new name Zambezi saying the leadership stood for peace in the region and the country. “The Swapo Party regional leadership calls upon its rank and file within the Zambezi Region to respect and rally behind the new name of the region. It also re-affirms and upholds the decision by the president to rename Caprivi to Zambezi without reserve. We advocate for peace and tranquillity in the Zambezi Region and the entire country,” he said. According to the Swapo Party regional leadership, Zambezi remains an overwhelming choice for residents, including the four traditional authorities who have since confirmed their support for the new name. “We thank our traditional authorities for putting the record straight in stating that proper consultations were done and that the name Zambezi was the overwhelming choice of the residents of this region.” The leadership is also in agreement with the demarcation of regions and constituencies, another issue that seems to have irked the group. “We also applaud the government of Namibia and the delimitation commission for concluding the process of consultation on demarcation and re-demarcation of regions and constituencies.”
Two weeks ago, the “Concerned Caprivians” handed a petition to Zambezi regional governor, Lawrence Sampofu, demanding the shifting of the region’s border back to Andara and for a referendum on the name change to be conducted. The group claims the name Caprivi unifies all ethnic groups in the region unlike Zambezi, but proponents of the name change argue the name was endorsed by many people and has the blessing of the chiefs under which all the inhabitants of the Zambezi Region fall.
By George Sanzila