Chiefs in Covid trouble
The country has lost five recognised traditional chiefs between 18 June and yesterday, leaving huge voids within communities.
OGONE TLHAGE
WINDHOEK
Namibia has lost five recognised traditional leaders in the past three weeks due to Covid-19, leaving huge leadership vacuums in their communities.
Between 18 June and yesterday, the country lost Ovaherero paramount chief Vekuii Rukoro, Afrikaner Traditional Authority chief Eduard Afrikaner, Ovambanderu chief Kilus Nguvauva, Bakgalagadi Traditional Authority chief Hubert Ditshabue and Vaalgras chief Joel Stephanus.
The death of some of these chiefs could also stir heated succession battles in the communities where such contestations have become commonplace.
During the months of June and July alone, government has bestowed 14 state-sponsored funerals, amounting to about N$1.1 million.
Among those accorded state-sponsored funerals are Nguvauva and Rukoro - who are yet to be buried - although the Ovaherero Traditional Authority had initially declined the offer, requesting that government rather use the money for the Covid-19 pandemic.
The acting chairperson of the Council of Traditional Leaders, Immanuel /Gaseb, has been left speechless at the rate at which his counterparts are dying.
Speaking to Namibian Sun following the deaths of Ditshabue and Stephanus just 24 hours apart, he expressed shock yesterday.
“All I can say is that I am speechless. One by one, our leaders are dying; the ones who have experience in traditional matters,” /Gaseb said.
“I cannot point fingers, it is a sickness affecting all of us,” he added.
Chiefs urged to isolate
/Gaseb urged traditional leaders to avoid public gatherings such as funerals, saying these could be spreader events for the virus.
“Gatherings must be limited; we don’t know who is carrying the virus. We must stay away from gatherings, the numbers are just increasing,” he said.
“We are going one by one. Those remaining, even if it is difficult, older leaders must stay away from funerals and other gatherings,” /Gaseb urged.
He also encouraged traditional leaders to get vaccinated.
“I got vaccinated and I also ask them to get vaccinated,” he said, adding that adherence to the Covid-19 regulations would help stem the rise in infections.
State machinery disrupted
Although they do not operate within the formal structures of government, traditional leaders meet government in a major way by conducting judicial functions, managing land, preserving law and order and providing administrative services at local government level.
Traditional authorities are regarded as primary agents of development. They are seen as the representatives of the community and, as such, are entrusted with an important responsibility of harmonising community customs and traditions within the ethos of the country’s constitution.
Urban and rural development minister Erastus Utoni yesterday said leadership vacuums were being created by the sudden deaths of traditional authority heads.
"The impact is there when a traditional leader passes away; it always creates a problem because these leaders had plans for their communities. These deaths are by nature, hopefully communities will come together and find unity after they have mourned their leaders," he said.
WINDHOEK
Namibia has lost five recognised traditional leaders in the past three weeks due to Covid-19, leaving huge leadership vacuums in their communities.
Between 18 June and yesterday, the country lost Ovaherero paramount chief Vekuii Rukoro, Afrikaner Traditional Authority chief Eduard Afrikaner, Ovambanderu chief Kilus Nguvauva, Bakgalagadi Traditional Authority chief Hubert Ditshabue and Vaalgras chief Joel Stephanus.
The death of some of these chiefs could also stir heated succession battles in the communities where such contestations have become commonplace.
During the months of June and July alone, government has bestowed 14 state-sponsored funerals, amounting to about N$1.1 million.
Among those accorded state-sponsored funerals are Nguvauva and Rukoro - who are yet to be buried - although the Ovaherero Traditional Authority had initially declined the offer, requesting that government rather use the money for the Covid-19 pandemic.
The acting chairperson of the Council of Traditional Leaders, Immanuel /Gaseb, has been left speechless at the rate at which his counterparts are dying.
Speaking to Namibian Sun following the deaths of Ditshabue and Stephanus just 24 hours apart, he expressed shock yesterday.
“All I can say is that I am speechless. One by one, our leaders are dying; the ones who have experience in traditional matters,” /Gaseb said.
“I cannot point fingers, it is a sickness affecting all of us,” he added.
Chiefs urged to isolate
/Gaseb urged traditional leaders to avoid public gatherings such as funerals, saying these could be spreader events for the virus.
“Gatherings must be limited; we don’t know who is carrying the virus. We must stay away from gatherings, the numbers are just increasing,” he said.
“We are going one by one. Those remaining, even if it is difficult, older leaders must stay away from funerals and other gatherings,” /Gaseb urged.
He also encouraged traditional leaders to get vaccinated.
“I got vaccinated and I also ask them to get vaccinated,” he said, adding that adherence to the Covid-19 regulations would help stem the rise in infections.
State machinery disrupted
Although they do not operate within the formal structures of government, traditional leaders meet government in a major way by conducting judicial functions, managing land, preserving law and order and providing administrative services at local government level.
Traditional authorities are regarded as primary agents of development. They are seen as the representatives of the community and, as such, are entrusted with an important responsibility of harmonising community customs and traditions within the ethos of the country’s constitution.
Urban and rural development minister Erastus Utoni yesterday said leadership vacuums were being created by the sudden deaths of traditional authority heads.
"The impact is there when a traditional leader passes away; it always creates a problem because these leaders had plans for their communities. These deaths are by nature, hopefully communities will come together and find unity after they have mourned their leaders," he said.
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