Ondonga in a mess

The infighting between two Ondonga factions reached an all-time high this past weekend, following the suspensions of eight traditional councillors.The infighting, largely linked to the succession battle of the Ondonga kingdom, has exposed further cracks in the already divided traditional authority. Among those suspended by King Immanuel Kauluma Elifas are the long-serving chairperson of the Ondonga Traditional Authority (OTA), Peter Kauluma, and OTA secretary Joseph Asino. Heavyweights such as senior headman John Walenga and former Oshikoto governor Vilho Kamanya were also suspended on Thursday and their senior headmen roles revoked pending investigations. Four other councillors - Kashona kaMalulu, Joseph Akawa, Tonata Ngulu and Fillemon Nambili – were suspended with immediate effect. The eight councillors are accused of insubordination and promoting disunity in the Ondonga community. The councillors hit back by claiming they were being purged by a rival grouping led by the king's wife Secilia, who is apparently taking advantage of Elifas's poor health to wield the axe. The eight councillors are backing Shuumbwa Nangolo, who was nominated by the Ondonga king as his heir in September 2012. Namibian Sun has seen letters addressed to former minister of local government and housing Jerry Ekandjo as well as his predecessor, Joel Kaapanda, in which the king reaffirmed the nomination of Nangolo as his deputy and heir apparent. This is now a bone of contention, with some members of the royal family, including the king's wife, challenging Nangolo's nomination. Ondonga headman councillor Oscar Sheehama is reportedly the king's wife favoured heir. At the weekend, the suspended councillors addressed over 300 people at Oluno. They appealed for calm, while using the platform to condemn the actions of the Ondonga royal family. Kauluma, who has been the OTA chairperson since 1982, told the meeting that he last spoke to the king on 20 February this year. He added that the royal family, particularly the king's wife, had no power to interfere in the affairs of the traditional authority. “I am now 75 years old, but I have never seen before a queen interfering in the affairs of the traditional authority like what is happening currently. Our queen is using the king's ailing condition to manipulate OTA functions,” a distraught Kauluma said. “Asino and I were called to the palace on 17 February; apparently the king had something to tell us. In the queen's absence, he asked me how is OTA and Ongula yaNetanga. The moment his wife arrived he went mute. The wife insisted that he tell us what he called us for, but he did not say any word until we left,” Kauluma said. He said they were again called to go back on 20 February and it was the same situation. “Later she informed us that the king had decided to fire Wilbard Lidker as senior headman,” he said. A tearful Asino also condemned the Ondonga queen, saying her group was abusing the king's name. The meeting was also addressed by the former Khomas Regional Council chairperson Zulu Shitongeni, Ondangwa mayor Paavo Amwele, Oniipa mayor Mannetjies Kambonde, Oshana regional councillor for Ondangwa Urban Constituency Elia Iimali and Oshikoto regional councillor for Oniipa Constituency Jerry Ngwena. New list emerges Meanwhile, a list shared by a source close to the Ondonga royal family has suggested a number of individuals as possible replacements for the suspended councillors. The list includes prominent businessman John Akapandi Endjala as senor headman for Ondangwa, and the Poverty Eradication Ministry's permanent secretary I-Ben Nashandi to take over the role of senior headman at Amuteya. Oscar Sheehama has reportedly been identified as replacement for Eino Shondili Amutenya at Onalulushete, while CRAN CEO Festus Mbandeka is tipped to take over as senior headman of Oniiwe, replacing Asino, while Tonis Kalenga is linked to Epale to replace Anneli Sakaria Mbumba. According to the notice seen by Namibian Sun, the headmen of Oniimwandi, Omulondo and Oshuushe should not be replaced. It suggested that someone who is respected by the Kwanyama-speaking community should be appointed as senior headman at Ongula ya Netanga to replace Kauluma. Acting OTA secretary Nepando Amupanda could not deny or confirm the authenticity of the notice. “Ondonga traditional community is an organised social institution with structures in place. The affected districts have structures in place, village cluster head, village headmen/women, etc. They will take care of the districts in the absence of suspended district councillors until further notice,” he told Namibian Sun. King makes rare appearance Meanwhile, the 82-year-old king Elifas made a rare appearance at the inauguration ceremony of Ester Gwashamba Nepando as the new senior headman of Uukwanambwa district. Nepando replaces Lidker, who was recently fired as senior headman. Elifas did not say anything at the ceremony, apart from confirming that he was happy to see the people of Ondonga and the royal family united. However, despite Gwashamba's installation by Oniimwandi senior headman Naeman Amalwa, the king refused to anoint her as a sign of his blessing. Amalwa reportedly remarked to Elifas: “Tatekulu, anoint your senior councillor.” The king responded by saying: “No, I cannot do that.” Amalwa then turned to the gathering, claiming that the king had asked him to anoint the new headman on his behalf. ILENI NANDJATO

Ondonga in a mess

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Namibian Sun 2025-09-18

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Ondonga in a mess

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Namibian Sun 2025-09-18

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