By: Maria Namupala
Urban and rural development minister Erastus Uutoni expressed his concern in the increased usage of the term King and Queen in reference to traditional leaders, adding that it is constitutionally and legally incorrect.
The minister’s recommendation for members of traditional communities and leaders is to utilise the traditional title, even when speaking English, to ensure that traditional titles are not diluted or enhanced.
Uutoni, with his delegation, has embarked on a journey to visit four traditional authorities in the northern regions, specifically Ondonga, Oukwanyama, Uukwaluudhi, and Ongandjera TraditionalAuthority, which started on Wednesday until Saturday.
Uutoni stated that his visit to traditional authorities was mainly to bring to their attention some critical issues that hamper the smooth operation of the traditional authority affairs.
He highlighted that the ministry is flooded with new applications for recognition to the extent that every community seeks for recognition, including those who fall under already recognised traditional authorities.
“The current financial status of the Government, the Ministry is spending resources and time by investigating applications for recognition which is one of the hampering factors which derails service delivery to the communities”, said Uutoni.
In relation to the use of traditional titles, Uutoni referred to Traditional Authorities to Section 11 of the Traditional Authorities Act, 2000 (Act 25 of 2000), which state that, “Nothing …shall be construed as precluding the members of a traditional community from addressing a traditional leader by the traditional title accorded to that office but such traditional title shall not derogate from, or add to, the status, powers, duties and functions associated with the office of a traditional leader.”
He added that what the provision means is that reference to a traditional title such as Ohamba, Hompa, Ombara, Omukwaniilwa, Gaob, Nkosi, Fumu, or the like is within the Act. However, reference to King or Queen is inconsistent with Namibia’s constitution, which established a Republic State, meaning that Kingdoms are not recognised.
“When choosing or electing traditional leaders, you must look at people who have public interest and not those that are after personal interests, people who will circumvent statutory rules and procedures, and people who will advise you without fear, favour or prejudice”, said Uutoni.
Furthermore, Uutoni urged traditional leaders to practice transparency and fairness when appointing new leaders of a traditional community.
Uutoni urged all traditional leaders to ensure customary laws are clear and precise on succession to avoid disputes after the chief or head of a traditional community is no more. He said that it is one of the issues that place a huge burden on the state and needs to be addressed urgently.
Uutoni raised concerns about the mushrooming of Traditional Authorities, leadership succession battles and disputes amongst traditional authorities, saying these scenarios create fragmentation and division amongst the community, stating that peace cannot reside in a house fraught with disagreement.
“Your resilience in enduring many challenges yet remaining committed to being an integral role player of national unity and custodians of our culture is highly commendable. I urge you all to continue exercising your traditional leadership roles in your communities by jointly fighting the social evil affecting society, such as gender-based violence, tribalism, regionalism and corruption,” Uutoni narrated.
The Omukwaniilwa of Ondonga Tatekulu Fillemon Shuumbwa Nangolo expressed the authorities’ concern regarding town development, saying that it puts “pressure on the traditional authorities because most land, especially in villages close to towns, is destroyed as most of the towns are growing.”
He said the challenge they are currently facing is the issue of community courts, adding that traditional authorities have had various unresolved cases for years.
