King’s critics won’t get land – Walenga

Ondonga senior traditional councillor John Walenga says those who oppose the decisions of the Ondonga Traditional Authority and its king Fillemon Shuumbwa Nangolo will not get land in Ondonga, adding that "their days are numbered".

Walenga, a blue-eyed boy of Nangolo, said the king has the power to appoint anyone as headman, whether they reside in that specific village or not.

His remarks were in reference to Ekonghola village residents who submitted a petition to the traditional authority, condemning the appointment of a hand-picked headman for their village.

The group, comprising Aakwanyama and Aandonga people, said they are not fighting on tribal lines, but rather want a ‘fair and just’ village headman of their choice.

Last week, they marched from Shell Ondangwa to the traditional authority’s office at Oluno to hand over the petition.

The Ondonga Traditional Authority appointed Sylvanus Elago as the new headman of Ekonghola village, following the death of Antonius Nghilongwa in 2021. Elago was inaugurated last Saturday.

‘War and division’

The group argued that the late Nghilongwa nominated three people who could replace him in the event of his death, but they were not considered.

The residents said the outcry of the community members should be heard across the country, adding that what's happening in Ekonghola is "causing war and division”.

The petitioners argued that the Traditional Authorities Act stipulates that a headmen should be elected by residents of that area, and he/she should be a permanent resident there.

“The appointed man doesn’t have a house in Ekonghola apart from a cattle post that he has in the village, and he’s not a permanent resident. This made him not qualified for the post,” the petition read in part.

The villagers also accused the new headman of being involved in criminal activities.

“We have a clear message and reasons why we don’t want Sylvanus Elago to be our leader. We don’t have any problem being led by anyone apart from Elago. We know our majesty king can get someone better than Elago,” they said.

According to the community members, until their demands are met, none of them will pay any traditional fees.

They also demanded that Elago be banned from attending or calling any meetings in Ekonghola.

‘Their days are numbered’

In response to the demands, Walenga said the king has the power to appoint anyone - whether they reside in that village or not.

Speaking during the inauguration in a speech that has since been widely circulated via video, he criticised the petitioners for calling the police, saying they are wasting state resources which could be used for something more meaningful.

“These are unruly youngsters who are even insulting the king. These people, we have their names. In the coming week, we need them at the office,” he said.

Walenga added that Ondonga cannot have unruly people, adding that “their days are numbered” as the traditional authority can only lead people who have peace and order.

He further told the new headman to ignore any application for land from those who participated in the demonstration.

"No piece of land in Ekonghola should ever be allocated to those youngsters who participated in the demonstration. Those boys and girls who are opposing the leadership of Ondonga Traditional Authority will not get land in Ondonga. Even if their fathers give them a piece of land in their field, it will not be approved in Ondonga,” he fumed.