Tributes have been flowing in from around the country for Masubia chief Kisco Maiba Liswani III, who died this week after a short illness. Social media platforms have been flooded with messages of condolences in honour of the late traditional leader. 

Liswani has been Masubia chief for 25 years after succeeding his brother chief Joshua Mutwa Muraliswani in 1996. Prior to that, he worked as a police officer. Despite leaving his job to take up the chieftainship, he was still recognised in the police force, and at the time of his death he held the position of chief inspector. Leading the tributes, President Hage Geingob described Liswani as a gentle leader who lived by the motto of One Namibia, One Nation. 

“Whenever I met Chief Liswani III, he always demonstrated kindness and willingness to support the efforts of the government in community development,” he stated. A close family member, who didn’t want to be named, said Liswani was a knowledgeable leader who knew his areas of jurisdiction. “Given his security cluster background, he was very much keen about security issues. He was a unifier and was following in the footsteps of his forefathers. He knew the areas of jurisdiction, and never interfered in other chiefs’ jurisdictions. His death is a serious blow to the Masubia community.” The Masubia are one of the largest tribes in the Zambezi region, and are mostly found in the eastern floodplains. 

Uukwambi Traditional Authority chief Ndilimani Herman Iipumbu eulogised his Masubia counterpart as a man of dignity, who was trustworthy and level-headed. He also remembered him for his generosity and wise counsel. 

“I personally had the privilege of enjoying his paternal friendship, a friendship that started with my late mentor King Immanuel Kauluma Elifas,” Iipumbu, who is also the chairperson of the northern traditional authorities, said. 

“He was a helper and an advisor, especially on issues pertaining to traditional authorities.” Preparations for his burial are currently underway. The death of Liswani follows that of Ovaherero Paramount Chief Vekuii Rukoro and Gaob Eduardo Afrikaner of the Afrikaner Traditional Authority, Kilus Nguvauva (Ovambanderu chief), Chief Hubert Ditshabue (Bakgalagadi Ba Namibia) and Joel Stephanus of the Vaalgras Traditional Authority. -Additional reporting by Victoria Kaapanda