Rundu
The Shambyu Traditional Authority is still without a chief seven months after the death of Angelina Matumbo Ribebe, who died in June last year As is customary in Kavango, a period of 90 days is set aside for mourning after which the succession rituals to replace the chief starts. The community also starts to discuss other equally important matters.
But more than six months after the death of the revered chief and the mandatory mourning period has elapsed
the Shambyu are still without a chief. The reason the tribe has been without a chief is because members of the royal
tribe are in disagreement over who should succeed Ribebe.
The two clans that are locked in a bitter succession row are the Mwengere and Mukwahepo – both powerful
factions. L a s t mon th th e Mukwahepo faction told New Era they have received a letter from Minister of Urban
and Rural Development Sofia Shaningwa approving the inauguration of their nominee, 56-year-old Maria
Kunyanda Joachim, as chief.
“We received the approval letter on the 11th of December and we are currently preparing for the coronation,
which we have planned for 13 February. We’re going ahead to install our chief,” said Rapha Sinkumba, their
spokesperson.
However, since the letter of approval was received by the Mukwahepos, the Mwengeres and the Shambyu
Traditional Authority have opposed it, saying they do not accept the decision. The other faction wants
Maria Kunyanda Joachim to be installed as chief.
“Nothing will go ahead until the matter is resolved. We haven’t yet met with the minister to discuss the letter, so we are waiting for the appointment date before month-end so that we meet her and discuss the issue at hand.
“What the Shambyu Traditional Authority wants is to preserve culture by respecting how things are done in our culture and the royal family. If a hompa appoints someone to succeed him or her, that is how it should be and we want to keep it that way. In this case the late Ribebe appointed Sofia Mundjembe Kanyetu and we should follow that,” said Nico Makanga, the chairperson of the Shambyu Traditional Authority.