Oukwanyama tribal tax bears fruit for drought-stricken

HELAO NAFIDIPLACIDO HILUKILWAThe drought has placed the country in a precarious situation, with an increasing number of residents going to bed on an empty stomach, said the head of the Oukwanyama Traditional Authority, Queen Martha Nelumbu, during a ceremony at Helao Nafidi on Tuesday.Nelumbu handed over drought relief consisting of 2 000 bags of maize meal of 10 kg each and boxes of frozen fish to be distributed to the worst affected homesteads in areas under her jurisdiction.The head of each of Oukwanyama's ten districts was given 200 bags of maize meal.Nelumbu said the tribal authority had decided to take a portion from its coffers to contribute to the ongoing drought relief efforts of the government.It was said that the unprecedented initiative was made possible because of the tribal authority's current strong financial position. &quot;People have been complaining about being compelled to pay tribal tax of N$10 per homestead per year, but the drought relief we are giving today is the fruit of the tribal tax we collected from the community,&quot; she said.The cost of this exercise is estimated to be approximately N$100 000.Oukwanyama tribal authority chairman, George Nelulu, said Nelumbu's decision to contribute to the drought relief efforts was motivated by the satisfactory report presented to her by the financial committee on July 31.Senior headman of the Ohaingu District, Nghidinihamba Ndilula, said the Oukwanyama Traditional Authority also supports sports events and has a scholarship programme which aims to assist young Namibians to study at tertiary institutions.&quot;Namibia needs well-trained professionals and the Oukwanyama Traditional Authority is making its contribution,&quot; he said, adding that the first beneficiary of the programme, Fillipus Haufiku, is currently studying accounting and finance at the Polytechnic of Namibia.

Oukwanyama tribal tax bears fruit for drought-stricken

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Namibian Sun 2025-05-19

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Oukwanyama tribal tax bears fruit for drought-stricken

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Namibian Sun 2025-05-19

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