Joyous scenes as VaShambyu finally get new chief
After almost a decade without a chief, all roads led to Kayegona village in the Rundu Rural constituency on Saturday where the VaShambyu community witnessed the designation of hompa Sofia Mundjembwe Kanyetu as the new head of the traditional authority.
Kanyetu succeeds the late Angelina Matumbo Ribebe who died in June 2015, after fending off several court challenges.
Among the key dignitaries who attended the event were Prime Minister Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila, works and transport minister John Mutorwa, deputy minister of urban and rural development Natalia /Goagoses, information and communication technology minister Peya Mushelenga and Hambukushu traditional authority head Erwin Munika Mbambo.
The event was marked by cultural performances, with various speakers expressing their joy regarding Kanyetu’s designation.
Seated on a symbolic throne, Kanyetu vowed to lead the VaShambyu people to prosperity and that their cultural norms and traditions would be upheld.
/Goagoses officiated the designation on behalf of urban and rural development minister, Erastus Uutoni.
Female leaders
In his speech, Uutoni commended the VaShambyu community for being amongst the traditional authorities that champion female leaders.
He further urged traditional authorities to prioritise the preservation of culture and working together with government.
“As they perform their duties and functions, the law requires them to do so in a manner that upholds national values, laws and policies, and closely work in solidarity and support to the government at all levels,” the speech read.
“This includes assisting the Namibian Police and other law enforcement agencies in the prevention and investigation of crime, ensuring that community members are informed of developmental initiatives in its area as well as the settlement of disputes and administration of justice in accordance with customary law.”
‘Unnecessary disunity’
The minister also weighed in on succession disputes in his speech.
“The other issue worth pointing out is the persistent squabbles and disputes over leadership succession, which is a common occurrence in the country including the Shambyu community,” Uutoni said.
“These divisions and disputes among members of the same royal family and community do not only prolong the filling of the leadership gap left by the departed leader, but also create unnecessary disunity and holds the entire community back from moving forward and uphold the legacy of peace and oneness that the departed leader or leaders worked so hard to instil in the collective interest of all members of the community.”
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Kanyetu succeeds the late Angelina Matumbo Ribebe who died in June 2015, after fending off several court challenges.
Among the key dignitaries who attended the event were Prime Minister Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila, works and transport minister John Mutorwa, deputy minister of urban and rural development Natalia /Goagoses, information and communication technology minister Peya Mushelenga and Hambukushu traditional authority head Erwin Munika Mbambo.
The event was marked by cultural performances, with various speakers expressing their joy regarding Kanyetu’s designation.
Seated on a symbolic throne, Kanyetu vowed to lead the VaShambyu people to prosperity and that their cultural norms and traditions would be upheld.
/Goagoses officiated the designation on behalf of urban and rural development minister, Erastus Uutoni.
Female leaders
In his speech, Uutoni commended the VaShambyu community for being amongst the traditional authorities that champion female leaders.
He further urged traditional authorities to prioritise the preservation of culture and working together with government.
“As they perform their duties and functions, the law requires them to do so in a manner that upholds national values, laws and policies, and closely work in solidarity and support to the government at all levels,” the speech read.
“This includes assisting the Namibian Police and other law enforcement agencies in the prevention and investigation of crime, ensuring that community members are informed of developmental initiatives in its area as well as the settlement of disputes and administration of justice in accordance with customary law.”
‘Unnecessary disunity’
The minister also weighed in on succession disputes in his speech.
“The other issue worth pointing out is the persistent squabbles and disputes over leadership succession, which is a common occurrence in the country including the Shambyu community,” Uutoni said.
“These divisions and disputes among members of the same royal family and community do not only prolong the filling of the leadership gap left by the departed leader, but also create unnecessary disunity and holds the entire community back from moving forward and uphold the legacy of peace and oneness that the departed leader or leaders worked so hard to instil in the collective interest of all members of the community.”
[email protected]
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