Succession-embattled Afrikaner clan talks unity

KEETMANSHOOPNAMPA The /Oa-/Ara //Aixa // Aes Afrikaner Traditional Authority is attempting to get its members to unite and agree on one candidate for the chieftainship of the Afrikaner clan, in order to prevent a succession battle. The Afrikaner Traditional Authority's Kaptein Hendrina Martha Afrikaner died in a car accident in August 2011. Speaking to Nampa in an interview this week, Simon Isaaks said the authority is planning on bringing everyone together to convince them to agree on one person to lead the clan. Isaaks has been chosen to act as the link between the traditional authority and clan members in the South, and will pass on information to other clan members. Afrikaner clan members mainly stay in Windhoek, Gibeon and Warmbad. Isaaks said following a meeting in Mariental last month, the clan is split into two groups - one supporting Frank Afrikaner and the other Eddy Afrikaner. Eddy was chosen to replace Frank - who was the first choice for the position of chief, as he was found to be a more suitable candidate for the position. Frank is the son of the late kaptein, but according to Isaaks he is too young to be a chief and is also not married. Eddy is a cousin to the late leader. “The majority of the members are in support of Eddy. He is married, mature, responsible and a teacher. Apart from a few elders and youngsters on his side, Frank does not have much support,” he noted. Approached for comment, senior councillor of the Afrikaner Traditional Authority Talita !Naruses confirmed that it plans to unite the clan to facilitate the succession. “We were advised by the office of Hardap Regional Governor Katrina Hanse-Himarwa to sit around the table and solve the matter, but so far we have not done so. However, we are planning to act on the matter soon. I cannot give any dates now because that is still to be decided on,” !Naruses responded. Frank told Namibian Sun in June his designation as successor was done in the presence of the recognised traditional council and in accordance with the customary law and the Traditional Authorities Act of 2000, as well as according to the final wishes of the late chief. “A group of councillors want someone else so they created their own supreme authority outside the customary law and now want to have an election,” he said at the time. During the process of selecting a new chief, the traditional authority council and the elders' council convene and consult the royal house. The elders' council is the supreme authority, consisting of older relatives of the chief who know the traditional laws of the clan. The process of appointing a new chief is complete and lawful only after the elders' council, traditional authority council and the royal house agree on the choice.