Cecilia Xavier
OPUWO - Vice President Nangolo Mbumba has encouraged traditional authority leaders to foster unity amongst their subjects, and refrain from treating them differently because of their social status.
He made these remarks on Thursday whilst engaging the Kunene Traditional Authority leaders in Opuwo.
“I always say that traditional leaders are my uncles. You are going down to the roots where we are all coming from. We respect you, and we want you to continue respecting yourselves, not to do the wrong things, and not to interact in all kinds of funny political party fights. Keep your people together,” he stressed.
The office of the Kunene regional governor informed him that there are eight recognised traditional authority leaders in the region. However, the office received about 86 applications from those who would like to be recognised too.
Mbumba said traditional authority leaders should take good care of all their subjects, and not only some.
“The Kunene region is rich and wealthy. I am not talking about money, I am not talking about properties, I am talking about wealth in customs, in tradition and in language. Even if we are speaking different languages, even if we have different traditions, even if we have different customs, we are at peace in Namibia,” he stated.
“Let us maintain unity, let us maintain peace. Let us work together and build this country. We have enough space; we only need rain,” Mbumba added.
Kapungojo Muhenje is a senior councillor in the Kakurukouje Traditional Authority, and applauded the government for the efforts it has made to bring development to the Etanga community. Government recently constructed a new school and connected Etanga to the national grid, something he described as a huge development.
Chief Lucky Kasaona of the Kasaona Traditional Authority, for his part, commended the government for the drought relief programme’s intervention. However, he indicated that in his area of jurisdiction, there are three big community gardens which need to be revived in order for the people to enjoy the produce.
“Government gives us drought relief here and there. But should the people who have land and water rely on drought relief?” he questioned.
*Cecilia Xavier works for the Ministry of Information and Communication Technology in Opuwo.