Fourie Nhoni-Shuuya

Nine village leaders were sworn in under the Ombalantu Traditional Authority at Outapi in Omusati region on Wednesday.

The swearing-in ceremony was witnessed by Ombalantu Traditional Authority elders, office-bearers and community members.

Officiating at the event the spokesperson of the Ombalantu Traditional Authority, Isdor Kanelombe, said taking up the role of village leader came with great responsibility as the nine had now become the solution finders within their communities.

“This role should not be taken lightly, because it is a crucial responsibility that you take up as you officially accept the offer to serve as village traditional leader in your respective villages. To be a traditional leader means you are the recognised solver of prevailing disputes among the people you serve, thus promoting unity and peace for people in your village,” Kanelombe said.

He emphasised that Namibia is a secular state, which means that as much as their role falls under the traditional authority, which aims to preserve the fading customs and traditional practices, the leaders should do away with practices that are not in line with the Namibian Constitution.

“The Ombalantu Traditional Authority concedes that due to changing times among our societies in the country, our traditional practices and customs are also slowly fading with modernisation.  Preservation is good, but we should do away with harmful and wrong practices in our villages, and acknowledge that the winds of change are here. It is important to always be guided by the Namibian law, the traditional authority guidelines, and other official guidelines that were put in place by the Namibian Constitution,” he stated.

Ombalantu traditional leader Oswin Shifiona Mukulu said there is growing concern with the youth in the region, who are facing many challenges. He encouraged the youth to make critical analyses when choosing life partners for marriage, as many were doing it for the wrong motives and today are facing the consequences of those actions.

Mukulu also pleaded with community elders to be good advisers for the youth.

“Another home destroyer is alcohol and substance abuse among not only the youth, but also with elders in our society, who spend most of their time at cuca shops. They thus promote physical and emotional abuse, as well as neglecting their homes and children,” he added.

 Mukulu thanked all traditional courts and leaders, advisers, law drafters, ministries, institutions, the Omusati Regional Council and members of the Ombalantu community for their continuous commitment and dedication to serving the Namibian people. He said despite the challenges they faced, there were many successes realised.

“I can confidently say that out of 158 cases of land, border and inheritance disputes, 154 had been successfully resolved. Three are awaiting the deliberation of the Lands Board under the Ministry of Urban and Rural Development, and the remaining one has been forwarded to a tribunal,” Mukulu said.

* Fourie Nhoni-Shuuya is an information officer for the MICT in Omusati.