Nudo blames govt for Ovaherero infighting
Nudo has blamed the government for the ongoing conflict between followers of the Maharero Royal House and those of Paramount Chief Vekuii Rukoro, who crossed swords during the Red Flag commemorations at Okahandja at the weekend.
The two factions disagree over where the commemoration should take place: plot number 1755 belonging to the Ovaherero Traditional Authority (OTA) or plot number 1756m leased to the Red Flag Regiment by the Okahandja municipality.
The OTA supports Rukoro, while the other faction backs the chief of the OtjikaTjamuaha Royal House, Tjinaani Maharero.
In a statement yesterday, Nudo spokesperson Joseph Kauandenge said the Namibian government deliberately pitted Ovaherero people against each other.
“The question is, in whose interest is this situation allowed to continue? If the government wanted this issue to be resolved they had ample time through the minister of urban and rural development to pronounce themselves on who the rightful owner of Erf 1755 in Okahandja is. However, the minister chose to delay in making this decision and in the meantime anarchy and chaos reign supreme,” said Kauandenge.
He called on the government to treat all Ovaherero people equally and not to treat those “born in wedlock with velvet gloves” while treating those born “out of wedlock” with contempt.
“Equally too, we cannot turn a blind eye or allow a whole nation to be taken hostage by some of our elders in the Ovaherero community whose days are close to the graveyards and who know nothing else but to eat and dream divisions,” he said.
According to him it is time that Ovaherero leaders go back to the drawing board and restore the dignity of their people.
“It is sad that after most of these elders are gone, as many are close to that end of their natural lifespan, it will be left to the poor youth to clean up their mess and hope to unite once more this once proud tribe.”
STAFF REPORTER
The two factions disagree over where the commemoration should take place: plot number 1755 belonging to the Ovaherero Traditional Authority (OTA) or plot number 1756m leased to the Red Flag Regiment by the Okahandja municipality.
The OTA supports Rukoro, while the other faction backs the chief of the OtjikaTjamuaha Royal House, Tjinaani Maharero.
In a statement yesterday, Nudo spokesperson Joseph Kauandenge said the Namibian government deliberately pitted Ovaherero people against each other.
“The question is, in whose interest is this situation allowed to continue? If the government wanted this issue to be resolved they had ample time through the minister of urban and rural development to pronounce themselves on who the rightful owner of Erf 1755 in Okahandja is. However, the minister chose to delay in making this decision and in the meantime anarchy and chaos reign supreme,” said Kauandenge.
He called on the government to treat all Ovaherero people equally and not to treat those “born in wedlock with velvet gloves” while treating those born “out of wedlock” with contempt.
“Equally too, we cannot turn a blind eye or allow a whole nation to be taken hostage by some of our elders in the Ovaherero community whose days are close to the graveyards and who know nothing else but to eat and dream divisions,” he said.
According to him it is time that Ovaherero leaders go back to the drawing board and restore the dignity of their people.
“It is sad that after most of these elders are gone, as many are close to that end of their natural lifespan, it will be left to the poor youth to clean up their mess and hope to unite once more this once proud tribe.”
STAFF REPORTER
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