By William Mbangula
Oshakati
Amutanga village in Okatana constituency has a new leader.
The Senior headman of Otuwala district in the Uukwambi Traditional Authority Abner Nuule has confirmed Reinhold Iiningishiwa Iita as the village headman of Amutanga. He was inaugurated on Saturday, September 29, about a year after the death of the previous leader Achilles Atshivudhi.
Nuule was accompanied by senior traditional counsellors from Onanime, Iikuku, Olupumbu, Oshikolongondjo, Onashiku, Oshihenge, Ekuku and Epyeshona. There were also some traditional leaders from neighbouring Oukwanyama Traditional authority from villages such as Ondjondjo, Iikelo, Ohailulu, Epyenene and others.
Addressing the gathering, Nuule lauded the residents of Amutanga for showing discipline, maturity and a sense of responsibility in selecting a leader of their own choice. He said it was pleasant for him to see that the people in the village had reached consensus over who should lead them. This, he noted, had made his task much easier to confirm the newly appointed leader in his position.
Said Nuule, a former DTA MP: “This is a pure traditional matter which has nothing to do with politics, hence I urge the new leader of the village to be guided by the customary laws of the community, the constitution of the Republic of Namibia and his faith in God. You have demonstrated extraordinary qualities which I have not seen anywhere among the people under my control. This is an orderly installation of a traditional leader, which should be emulated by many people who favour peace and progress.”
Located about 12 km north-west of Oshakati, Amutanga is one of the growth centres of Okatana constituency, housing a Catholic Church, a combined school and various self-supporting projects such as hammermills and a bakery.
The first headman, Atshivudhi Mukondo Tshivute came to the village in 1924.
He died in 1964. Atshivudhi was followed by his nephew, Leo Iita in 1965 who led the village for 16 year before he passed away in 1989. Iita was followed by Achilles Atshivudhi in 1990 who died in November last year.
The young Iita, who is a Head of Department at Omindaba Primary School in Omusati region, is the fourth to lead the village.