KHORIXAS – President Nangolo Mbumba has called on Kunene traditional leaders to work with the government in ensuring that social issues facing their communities are attended to.

The President made these remarks during a meeting with traditional leaders as well as regional and local authorities’ councillors in Khorixas on Wednesday.

During the meeting, the Head of State was briefed on burning issues facing the community. 

He used the platform to discuss matters of national importance, and the key role traditional authorities play in development and resource optimisation.

Mbumba highlighted drought, poor road infrastructure, human-wildlife conflict and lack of serviced land, housing and sanitation as some of the issues the government is battling with.

“Drought is the major challenge government is faced with. Currently, we spent about N$700 million in procuring drought relief items, and transporting them to the beneficiaries,” he said.

He added: “However, we were told there are still some of our people who are not receiving the food, especially those in hard-to-reach areas. I want the traditional leaders to assist in identifying these people through and inform the regional office or constituency office to ensure that no person dies of hunger”.

“I requested to have a meeting with the traditional leaders so that they can confer on issues surrounding national development, issues affecting their chiefdoms and drought,” he said. At the meeting, the Damara gaob, Justus //Garoëb, informed the President that his community is severely affected by the drought and water scarcity for both human and livestock consumption. 

“My appeal to the President is that if the drought situation changes, I want the government to restock livestock for our farmers to continue with farming,” he said. He also requested the government to attract investors to the region, especially those who are in the mining sector, to create employment for the youth.

“I want to thank the government for establishing the vocational training centre in Khorixas, and my hope is that through the centre, youth can be able to gain skills on how to add value to some of our mineral resources so they are not exported in raw form,” he said.

Senior councillor John Haneb of Hai//om Traditional Authority also brought to the attention of the President that most of the resettlement farms such as Seringkop, Balaika, Toevlung, Mooisplaas, Werda and Nuxas are now overpopulated, and an urgent solution is needed.

Christine Klazen of the Swartbooi Traditional Authority raised concerns about foreign investors who “invaded the land, and extracted minerals without the traditional authorities’ consent”.

Mbumba promised that all issues raised by the traditional leaders will be communicated to relevant authorities for further deliberation and implementation. 

“We assured the traditional leaders that development in their areas will be delivered equitably. Every traditional leader will be respected. This also extends to their succession systems, which the government will not interfere with. Traditional leaders are our partners in development, as they existed way before the current structured national leadership,” he said.

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