KEETMANSHOOP – Nama Traditional Leaders Association (NTLA) secretary general (SG) Deodat Dirkse says the division amongst members of the Nama traditional authorities in //Kharas has led to some now operating leaderless.
This, in essence, was how Dirkse responded when New Era sought to obtain the NTLAs view on the rival groups among the 10 authorities.
“Only three out of the 10 traditional authorities, namely the Swartbooi, Kai/Khaua and Topnaar, have appointed recognised leaders, while Urban and Rural Development minister Erastus Uutoni declared disputes in terms of the !Aman, Blouwes and Bondelswarts clans, and also the remaining three (Afrikaner, Kai/Khaua and Topnaar) are still in the process of applying for approval to appoint their traditional leaders,” he said.
He continued that even though all traditional authorities have customary laws in place dealing with successions, none have been submitted to the line minister.
“They would simply submit applications for such approvals to designate their heads accordingly. Afterwards, the minister would grant the approval or respond with a letter, declaring a dispute,” he said.
The SG further regarded the current practice in which the minister declares leadership succession disputes, as contravening Section 12 of the Traditional Authorities Act.
“According to the Act, traditional authority communities should instead declare such disputes,” he said.
Referring to the NTLA’s position on the issue, he said it is imperative that existing and recognised traditional authority customary laws and practices be adhered to in accordance with legislation.
“The designation and appointment of chiefs and heads of traditional communities must be done in accordance with existing laws, and when members of the traditional communities, government officials or branches of the government are not satisfied with existing laws, then due processes must be followed to amend such laws,” Dirkse said.
He also warned that the current practice of disregarding existing laws flies in the face of nation-building.
President Nangolo Mbumba and his deputy, Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, highlighted during their recent official working visits to the region that government cannot enforce the appointment of traditional authority leaders.
Their addresses further indicate the government is only there to approve and endorse traditional leaders that their communities have identified and recommended as designated chiefs.
While officiating at the recently-concluded 13thIHai-IKhaua Traditional Authority festival, Nandi-Ndaitwah urged the audience that government has created community courts in various traditional communities to adjudicate criminal and civil cases.
“Our communities should utilise these institutions to promote law and order to maintain peace and harmony in the communities,” she advised.
Meanwhile, during the recently-concluded 13th IHai-IKhaua Traditional Authority festival in Berseba, Celeste Kuhlman said the current Gaob’s should already, while alive, identify their successors through customs in place to avoid such succession leadership challenges.
“In addition, all Nama clans should operate as a united front so that our next generations can follow suit for our progress and prosperity, as Namas,” she added. Kuhlman cautioned that if these challenges exist, people from outside will come and capitalise on them, denying Nama clans the opportunity to benefit from their natural resources.
-sklukowski@nepc.com.na