2015-01-12Mathias Haufiku By John Muyamba WINDHOEK - “I feel being chief of the Kwangali tribe will not be an easy job because I have seen the challenges my grandfather faced, but I am positive I will succeed,” said Kwangali Traditional Authority chief-designate Eugene Siwombe Kudumo. Unless a drastic turn of events takes place, the 44-year old Kudumo will be sworn in as the new chief of the traditional authority. Speaking exclusively to this newspaper, Kudumo said he was ready for the new challenge, adding: “It is a challenge but I am ready to take over the chieftaincy as I grew up in the royal family and I have been trained. “My grandparents as well as the senior headman’s and traditional councillors will assist me.” Kudumo was nominated and presented to the public on several occasions by Mpasi to take over the reins once Mpasi was no more. Senior traditional councillor in the traditional authority Josef Kandjimi confirmed to New Era that Mpasi had on several occasions made known that he wanted Kudumo to succeed him. “Even during a council meeting last July, the chief told us that we must work closely with Kudumo because Kudumo will need our assistance,” Kandjimi revealed. It however appears that some members within the traditional authority are busy with underground activities devising tactics to prevent Kudumo from being sworn in as chief claiming he is too young and lacks the required knowledge to lead the tribe effectively. “Those people doing such things are just jealous and they have no right to decide who should be next chief because the late chief decided who must take over and the royal family approved it. My being young is not an issue because the chief was also relatively young when he took over,” said Kudumo. “Those saying such things are jealous family members,” said Kudumo. Mpasi died last month in hospital in the Kavango West, aged 80, having ruled for 35 years. Kudumo is a trained teacher who is currently employed in the finance department at the Ministry of Education’s regional headquarters in Kavango West. Together with Karuyeva Ernestus, Sikongo Joseph Sivaku, Hamutenya David Hipulua, Mufenda Gideon Nestor Siwomb and Josef Kandjimi, Kudumo was appointed as senior traditional councillor of the Kwangali Traditional Authority in March 2009. – Additional reporting by Mathias Haufiku. 2015-01-12Mathias Haufiku
