Ondangwa
President Hage Geingob has expressed concern over the mushrooming of churches in the country, urging the Council of Churches in Namibia (CNN) to arrest the situation.
The president also expressed concern about the mushrooming of traditional authorities, and the never-ending leadership succession battles and disputes among traditional authorities.
Equally, the head of state also expressed his worries about the increase in fly-by-night political parties that emerge towards elections and become dormant soon thereafter.
Geingob says such scenarios are contrary to the spirit of “one Namibia, one nation” and create fragmentation and division. “Peace cannot reside in a house fraught with disagreement,” said Geingob.
Geingob says such issues should be forwarded to the relevant authorities for attention and he further urged the Council of Churches in Namibia (CCN) to address the mushrooming of churches. Geingob made the remarks at the 18th annual meeting of the Council of Traditional Leaders held at a lodge in Ondangwa on Monday.
Geingob advised traditional leaders to confront practices that hold people back, particularly issues of inheritance which often result in women and children being dispossessed of family assets.
He furthermore expressed concern over the increase in gender-based violence (GBV), saying GBV is a curse which afflicts society and robs the country of much-needed talent. Moreover, the president also called upon women to be uplifted to develop the country.
“A society is unable to fully develop if it leaves half of its population behind, so if we want Namibia to develop, we must provide women with equal opportunities,” he said.
The president further implored the Namibian nation to practise their traditions and cultures in a manner that respects the rights of others and contributes to nation building and national reconciliation.
“Cultural beliefs are the glue that holds communities together. Beliefs of cultural superiority are the poison that destroys nations,” said the head of state. He said that Namibia can build a cohesive society, in which culture and tradition are a unifying rather than a divisive force.
In the same vein he also recommended that members of traditional authorities and their leaders utilise the traditional names even when speaking English to ensure traditional titles are not diluted or enhanced.
According to Geingob, the increased usage of “king,” “queen” in reference to traditional leaders is unconstitutional and legally incorrect. He added that the reference to “king” or “queen” is inconsistent with the constitution which established a republican state, meaning kingdoms are not recognised in Namibia. “What this provision means is that reference to a traditional title such as hompa, ombara, omukwaniilwa, gaob, nkosi or the like, is within the Act,” said Geingob.
Governor of Oshana Region Clemens Kashuupulwa said the meeting would solve the critical and threatening issues that challenge prosperity.
The meeting was attended by traditional authority leaders, mayors and other relevant stakeholders.