OKOMBAHE – Damara Gaob Justus ǁGaroëb has leapt to the defence of under-fire chief Immanuel /Gaseb of the !Oe Gan traditional authority,
saying calls to remove him from his position will do more harm than good for the entire ≠Nūkhoen community.
Some members of the !Oe Gan community in September called for the removal of /Gaseb, saying they were not supporting his candidature for the position of chairperson of the Council of Traditional Leaders. /Gaseb has since ascended to the position following his election at Eenhana in September, and replaced the late Omukwaniilwa Immanuel Kauluma Elifas. He was the acting chairperson of the council since the death of the Ondonga traditional authority leader in March 2019.
He contested the position with incumbent Ondonga traditional authority leader Fillemon Shuumbwa Nangolo, who obtained 41 votes, while he (/Gaseb) gained 59 votes. At the weekend, ǁGaroëb surprised all and sundry when he called on his subjects to give /Gaseb another chance. ǁGaroëb said /Gaseb’s removal will dim the fire of the Damara people if the community continues to call for his axing.
“Yes, I know he doesn’t hold meetings with his people, and also doesn’t live among them. But I thought about the consequences such actions will have on the entire clan,” said ǁGaroëb, who was speaking during the 45th Damaran festival in Okombahe in the Erongo region.
“Don’t remove /Gaseb, especially now that he is elected as chairperson of the Council of Traditional Leaders. You will dim our light”, he urged. ǁGaroëb and various traditional chiefs were part of the ≠Nūkhoen who attended the 45th annual cultural festival that was held
under the theme of patience, peace and blessings. According to ǁGaroëb, /Gaseb, who was also in attendance, currently has the responsibility to lead the entire traditional leadership of the country, and is destined for greater things. He added that he could earlier not give his blessings or sign the petition that was supposed to be forwarded to the council to block his appointment.
“I could not be part of such a conspiracy, and be responsible for leaving the only weapon we have. The position he holds is an important one that is sought-after by all tribes, but it is ours now. Let us rather address the challenges we are facing, but I think we will make a huge mistake if we go ahead and remove him,” ǁGaroëb reiterated.
Celebrate culture
Meanwhile, during the festivities at the weekend, ǁGaroëb called on the Damara
people to be proud of their culture and to keep it alive. The festival was held for the first time since the advent of Covid-19.
“We and the San community were the first inhabitants of this country; remember that.
That is why I am thankful for the blessings that are bestowed upon me and for the whole tribe as a union. Therefore, this year’s celebration is an absolute benediction from the heavenly father. Tolerance, patience, peace and tranquillity are visible in this festival,” he added.
Urban and rural development deputy minister Natalia /Goagoses urged the Damara people to embrace their culture as it not only provides a sense of identity, but also has a uniqueness that attracts tourists from different countries.
“Cultural festivals provide us with the opportunity to celebrate and transmit the traditions, norms and cultural values from the older generation, who are our living libraries, to the youth. Hence, the youth of today should learn that they too have an obligation towards future generations to sustainably preserve and promote their cultural heritage,” she observed.
The politician added that such festivals are
not mere celebrations, but also an opportunity for them to learn about and love their own culture as there would be chaos in society without culture.
“Knowing our culture will boost our self-respect and dignity as we follow our values. Once you know who you are, some negative vibes and foreign influences will become a thing of the past,” she said.