Kwanyama chiefs hit back against insults

THE Oukwanyama Traditional Authority has taken issue with ruling party officials over constant political attacks on the authority by some Swapo leaders.

A strongly worded letter, signed by the Chairman of the Oukanyama Traditional Authority, George Nelulu, and addressed to Governor Uusko Nghaamwa, takes exception to the traditional authority being labelled as having betrayed the liberation struggle and the allegation that it is working against the wishes of the majority. The petition follows a statement by the Swapo Ondobe Councillor, Mandume Pohamba, who accused the tribal authority of being “sell-outs” and “known traitors”.In the petition Nelulu said people like Pohamba are sowing seeds of hatred, ethnic division and tension, and are violating the policy of national reconciliation.Councillor Pohamba’s statement, Nelulu said, flies in the face of a recent assurance by the Secretary General of Swapo, Pendukeni Iivula-Ithana, that it was “not the policy of the Swapo Party nor its culture to attack and humiliate our traditional authorities or their leaders”.Iivula-Ithana is said to have written this in response to complaints by Oukwanyama Queen Martha Kristian Nelumbu of “constant attacks and humiliation” against her person and her tribe by some Swapo leaders.The Nelulu petition further said that the Oukwanyama Traditional Authority, like any other traditional authority, State or non-governmental institution, “serves a nation of diverse political thinking and persuasions and thus cannot and should not take sides with or be partial towards any individual political party”.Nelulu also reminded Councillor Pohamba of a warning to political leaders by King Immanuel Kauluma Elifas of the Ondonga not to engage in hate speech that stirs political tensions.The petition called on Governor Nghaamwa to ensure that the “constant political attacks against the Oukwanyama Traditional Authority in Ohangwena come to an end”.Accepting the petition, the Governor said he would speak to the individuals mentioned in the correspondence.The other two Swapo leaders mentioned in the statement who have allegedly insulted the Oukwanyama Queen are Hosea Shipanga, the Swapo district co-ordinator for Eenhana, and a certain George Namundjebo.The petition follows a statement by the Swapo Ondobe Councillor, Mandume Pohamba, who accused the tribal authority of being “sell-outs” and “known traitors”.In the petition Nelulu said people like Pohamba are sowing seeds of hatred, ethnic division and tension, and are violating the policy of national reconciliation.Councillor Pohamba’s statement, Nelulu said, flies in the face of a recent assurance by the Secretary General of Swapo, Pendukeni Iivula-Ithana, that it was “not the policy of the Swapo Party nor its culture to attack and humiliate our traditional authorities or their leaders”.Iivula-Ithana is said to have written this in response to complaints by Oukwanyama Queen Martha Kristian Nelumbu of “constant attacks and humiliation” against her person and her tribe by some Swapo leaders.The Nelulu petition further said that the Oukwanyama Traditional Authority, like any other traditional authority, State or non-governmental institution, “serves a nation of diverse political thinking and persuasions and thus cannot and should not take sides with or be partial towards any individual political party”.Nelulu also reminded Councillor Pohamba of a warning to political leaders by King Immanuel Kauluma Elifas of the Ondonga not to engage in hate speech that stirs political tensions. The petition called on Governor Nghaamwa to ensure that the “constant political attacks against the Oukwanyama Traditional Authority in Ohangwena come to an end”.Accepting the petition, the Governor said he would speak to the individuals mentioned in the correspondence.The other two Swapo leaders mentioned in the statement who have allegedly insulted the Oukwanyama Queen are Hosea Shipanga, the Swapo district co-ordinator for Eenhana, and a certain George Namundjebo.