New Masubia leader urges end to tribal divisions

Phillipus Josef
Newly inaugurated chief of the Masubia, Munintenge Moraliswani III, has called on his community to embrace unity and reconciliation, describing his leadership as a time to “heal” and move forward together.

Speaking during his inaugural address last Saturday at the Masubia Traditional and Cultural Festival in Bukalo, Moraliswani acknowledged internal divisions and offered an apology for previous wrongs committed within the tribe.

“This is not a time for blame, but a time for healing. It is a time for us to come together to create a future where all voices are heard, where all members feel valued and where our shared future is one of peace, prosperity and harmony,” he said.

He pledged to lead with justice, fairness and transparency and urged the Masubia community to set aside political, economic and religious differences in favour of cohesion and mutual respect.

“Let us not allow these divisions to weaken the bonds that tie us together. I offer my sincere apologies for the wrongs that have been committed and I commit myself to working tirelessly to rebuild trust and understanding within our tribe," the chief vowed.

Sharing knowledge

As part of his leadership plan, Moraliswani outlined key governance priorities, including educating the community about the Communal Land Reform Act.

He also announced plans to use technology to archive traditional court records and preserve Masubia history.

“We will educate our people on how this act works and make it simpler for our people to understand the remedies available for land disputes.”

He further emphasised the need to create access corridors between villages for development purposes such as roads, electricity and water infrastructure.

The chief also committed to protecting fish resources in the region and called for the introduction of Chisubia in schools, particularly at early childhood levels.

Boost development

Moraliswani also raised concerns about ongoing development challenges in the Zambezi region, including access to potable water, housing, poor roads and land servicing in Bukalo. He acknowledged efforts by the government, including completed road projects and the Katima-Bukalo water pipeline, but said more work is necessary.

“Many of our rural villages east of Zambezi region have been waiting for potable water through phase two from Bukalo to Ngoma, as well as phases three and four,” he said.

He proposed that government consider empowering local vocational youth through building agricultural brigades, supported by equipment and training, to tackle youth unemployment and assist in maintaining public infrastructure.

The chief also expressed support for government and pledged cooperation with President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, referencing her commitment to working closely with traditional authorities and investing in rural development.

He concluded by urging his community to work together to preserve culture, values, and identity and to resist social ills such as tribalism, alcohol and drug abuse.

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Namibian Sun 2025-12-20

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