16 traditional authorities without chiefs

The 23rd annual meeting of the council of traditional leaders was hosted in Eenhana recently, and traditional leaders from all corners of the country were present at the meeting.

This is the first time in two years the council is meeting. Acting chairperson Gaob Immanuel ≠Nu-Axa /Gâseb said the purpose of the annual meeting is for leaders to come together to discuss issues affecting their communities and to find appropriate solutions to such problems.

/Gâseb also touched on disputes amongst members, which have proven to be a challenge at the council.

“The endless disputes among our traditional communities and endless applications by the communities who are continuously seeking for recognition of new traditional authorities - from the already existing 53 recognised traditional authorities - are destabilising the conducive environment our government has created for us,” he said.

Currently, there are 16 traditional authorities without chiefs.

“I was informed that there are 11 traditional authorities with chieftainship succession disputes, while some are waiting for investigations to be conducted. It is worrisome to continue to witness instances of factionalism and ongoing leadership succession disputes between communities and their leaders.”

/Gâseb said traditional leaders are to blame for the disputes as “most of the time we concentrate on infighting, rather than enhancing the moral values of our cultures”.

Fishing quota

The acting chairperson also announced that the council requested and received a fishing quota from government.

“We are happy to report that the traditional leaders have established Hompa Investment, the business arm of the council of traditional leaders, which is now operational and is making a meaningful impact in the lives of our communities within the jurisdiction of our 53 traditional authorities.”