Mutwa eyes Masubia throne
The race to succeed highly respected Chief Kisco Liswani III, who died in July due to Covid-19, has been quietly set into motion.
KENYA KAMBOWE
RUNDU
Former legal drafter in the justice ministry Gilbert Muhongo Mutwa says he is in line to become the next chief of the Masubia tribe, succeeding Kisco Liswani III who succumbed to Covid-19 in July.
Mutwa made reference to a meeting held at Ngoma on 14 August where 14 elders from the royal family allegedly agreed that he is the best candidate to take over the revered throne.
He added that the hold-up to his coronation is the fumigation of the Bukalo palace, which will see him being unveiled to the public.
In an unprecedented turn of events, Chief Liswani, who has been leader of the Masubia for 25 years, his wife Grace Muraliswani, senior member of the royal house Leonard Sitwala and senior induna (headman) of the Nakabolelwa district, Richard Masule Mujiwa, all died of the virus in a space of a few hours.
“After we buried those who passed away, the family came together and we said this is the time we have to appoint a man who will be our leader and then I was appointed,” Mutwa said, although Namibian Sun understands that there are other parties eyeing the throne.
Build up the community
Mutwa said the traditional authority over the years has been claiming money from its fishing quota rights but the lives of the people in the communities have not improved.
It is on that basis, he said, that once he takes over the throne, he will use his vast qualifications and experience to improve the lives of the Masubia people.
“I am not a chief who will go there to eat but I will go there to build up the community. I am going to make sure this chieftainship is recognised everywhere,” Mutwa, who retired from the public service in 2017, said.
Rocky road
When contacted for comment, ngambela (spokesperson) of the Masubia tribe, Albius Kamwi Milinga, refused to comment on the matter, and said he was not aware of Mutwa being lined up for the chieftaincy.
A source familiar with matters said it is highly unlikely that Mutwa’s ascendance to power will be a smooth one.
“I think the reason why there is a hold-up is because there are those who want to lead the Masubia tribe and if Mutwa came out like that, it means that things are not fine at the royal house,” the source said.
Namibian Sun has learnt that amongst the Masubia tribe there has been a long feud between the royal family regarding which bloodline should be followed in an event that a chief passes on or is unable to lead the tribe.
The lineage which Liswani III derived from has been ruling the Masubia tribe since 1945.
Some argue that the delay is a result of the royal family not being able to agree on the candidates who qualify and have shown interest to take over the throne.
“The new chief was supposed to be announced by now but it has not happened yet. There must be issues affecting the delay and it’s creating an uncertainty amongst the Masubia community. It has taken too long,” a source said.
[email protected]
RUNDU
Former legal drafter in the justice ministry Gilbert Muhongo Mutwa says he is in line to become the next chief of the Masubia tribe, succeeding Kisco Liswani III who succumbed to Covid-19 in July.
Mutwa made reference to a meeting held at Ngoma on 14 August where 14 elders from the royal family allegedly agreed that he is the best candidate to take over the revered throne.
He added that the hold-up to his coronation is the fumigation of the Bukalo palace, which will see him being unveiled to the public.
In an unprecedented turn of events, Chief Liswani, who has been leader of the Masubia for 25 years, his wife Grace Muraliswani, senior member of the royal house Leonard Sitwala and senior induna (headman) of the Nakabolelwa district, Richard Masule Mujiwa, all died of the virus in a space of a few hours.
“After we buried those who passed away, the family came together and we said this is the time we have to appoint a man who will be our leader and then I was appointed,” Mutwa said, although Namibian Sun understands that there are other parties eyeing the throne.
Build up the community
Mutwa said the traditional authority over the years has been claiming money from its fishing quota rights but the lives of the people in the communities have not improved.
It is on that basis, he said, that once he takes over the throne, he will use his vast qualifications and experience to improve the lives of the Masubia people.
“I am not a chief who will go there to eat but I will go there to build up the community. I am going to make sure this chieftainship is recognised everywhere,” Mutwa, who retired from the public service in 2017, said.
Rocky road
When contacted for comment, ngambela (spokesperson) of the Masubia tribe, Albius Kamwi Milinga, refused to comment on the matter, and said he was not aware of Mutwa being lined up for the chieftaincy.
A source familiar with matters said it is highly unlikely that Mutwa’s ascendance to power will be a smooth one.
“I think the reason why there is a hold-up is because there are those who want to lead the Masubia tribe and if Mutwa came out like that, it means that things are not fine at the royal house,” the source said.
Namibian Sun has learnt that amongst the Masubia tribe there has been a long feud between the royal family regarding which bloodline should be followed in an event that a chief passes on or is unable to lead the tribe.
The lineage which Liswani III derived from has been ruling the Masubia tribe since 1945.
Some argue that the delay is a result of the royal family not being able to agree on the candidates who qualify and have shown interest to take over the throne.
“The new chief was supposed to be announced by now but it has not happened yet. There must be issues affecting the delay and it’s creating an uncertainty amongst the Masubia community. It has taken too long,” a source said.
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