Elites running villages in absentia

TUYEIMO HAIDULAOSHAKATIFrom politicians to parastatal bosses and army chiefs, traditional authorities have in recent years turned to influential figures to head villages in their jurisdictions - albeit remotely in most cases.While traditional leaders continue to hold a symbolic traditional role in Namibia, questions have been raised about the criteria used to select village chiefs, with some critics being of the opinion that status has become the primary requirement to land such a role.Several villages are currently managed by village secretaries because the heads do not permanently reside in those villages.Some of the prominent people holding these positions include Epangelo mining managing director Eliphas Hawala (Ohakweenyanga), businessmen John Walenga (senior headman for Ondangwa district) and Martin Shipanga (Onandjaba), chief of the Namibian Defence Force Martin Pinehas (Oshikashika), finance minister Iipumbu Shiimi (Ontana) and businesswoman Martha Namundjebo-Tilahun (Ohailombo), to name but a few.Not impressedThe proliferation of village headmen and -women residing thousands of kilometres from their communities has also brought to the fore concerns about service delivery in such areas, a situation which does not sit well with the Council for Traditional Leaders in Namibia.The council’s acting chairperson, Chief Immanuel /Gaseb, says he has noticed the trend of absentee leaders in villages, which he says “is wrong”.According to Gaseb: “The decision is wrong because those serving the people should be living within the villages so that service delivery is not hampered.“I noticed when I go on trips that several traditional leaders across the country are appointing business people.“From my side it’s wrong. They are supposed to be living in the villages so they can work closely with the community. I don’t know on what terms they appoint these people and why,” he said.//Gaseb said in his traditional area, he does not condone the appointment of village headmen and -women who do not live in the areas which they ought to lead.Nothing wrongSome of the traditional leaders defended why they appoint businesspeople as headmen and women, saying some of them take care of the communities.Chief Herman Iipumbu of the Uukwambi Traditional Authority said they have to consider factors such as the chosen person being helpful to the community they are chosen to lead.“Sometimes these people assisted bringing us with water in the area, schools and clinics in order to bring services closer to the people,” he said.The chief denied claims that the leaders will not be able to perform their duties from a distance, saying they work around their “busy” schedules to make sure the people’s grievances are attended to.The chairperson of the Oukwanyama Traditional Authority, George Nelulu, feels when an appointment is made, they consider the potential such a candidate holds in terms of benefit for the community.“This can include contributions such development in their area, we also look for unifiers who can hold the community together.”Urban and rural development minister Erastus Uutoni has a different view, however. He feels that “as long as the communities which they are leading are happy with the decisions taken, there shouldn’t be a problem on who is running the villages.” He added that should the people feel that their leaders are not delivering services, they have the right to lodge complaints with their leaders, which can also be brought to his attention.Absentee leadersEliphas Hawala, the headman of Ohakweenyanga village number 1 situated about six kilometres from Ongwediva, said while he acknowledges that at times it can be challenging to fulfil their duties, it is not impossible and they find a way to strike a balance.“Actual work is done by the committees. If you don’t have robust committees, that is when you will struggle. Headman doesn’t make all the decisions alone. You are simply a figurehead,” he said.As for Namundjebo-Tilahun, who was recently appointed as headwoman of Ohailombo village in the Uukwanambwa district in Ondonga, she said although she did not get the appointment because of her businesswoman status, she is happy to continue serving where her parents left the legacy. She took over the reins from her late father, businessman Elikaim NamundjeboNamundjebo-Tilahun praised the king of Ondonga, Fillemon Shuumbwa Nangolo, whom she said has wisdom and has a gift to lead people to prosperity. She said once her inauguration takes place on 20 November, Namibians will have a clear understanding of the role she will be playing and how she plans on bringing more development to the village. “People are not asking for too much. They just need us to bring them the basic needs - water, electricity and good roads for use. If we work together, the mediaWalenga says the communities are part of the process to appoint village leaders.“The community is given a chance to approve the identified person, hence candidates are not imposed on communities. People think it is fashionable to be a headman. I am not denying that there are some who are not doing their work and others that simply do not understand their role to manage their work,” he said.He also accused politicians of playing a role in the never-ending infighting within traditional authorities. – tuyeimo@namibiansun.com

Elites running villages in absentia

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Namibian Sun 2026-02-13

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Elites running villages in absentia

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Namibian Sun 2026-02-13

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