Aletha calls Ovambanderu to order

WINDHOEK ELVIS MURARANGANDA Aletha Nguvauva, who is one of the claimants to the disputed Ovambanderu chieftaincy, has expressed shock at the behaviour of supporters on all sides of the ongoing rivalry. The wife of the late Ovambanderu Paramount Chief, Munjuku Nguvauva II, said there is no bad blood between herself and her stepson, Kilus Nguvauva, who also lays claim to the chieftainship. Speaking to Namibian Sun from her office, she explained how at times she is baffled by supporters who take things too far. You will find that when I meet my son, I will greet him and talk. But then you will see that someone who is with me will prefer not to say anything to Kilus, she said. The dispute is between Kilus and myself, and if you are speaking, why are do they opt not to speak to one of us? she questioned. Aletha expressed exhaustion with the battle over who should take over as leader of the community that was torn in two following the death of Munjuku in January 2008. In choosing a new leader, the community had been divided between Kilus and his brother, the late Keharanjo Nguvauva II, who are both sons of the late Munjuku Nguvauva II by different mothers. Since Keharanjo's death in 2011, his followers agreed to appoint his mother, Aletha, who is also a member of the Nguvauva clan by birth, as their paramount chief. She was coronated as paramount chief by her faction in the same year People are tired of the entire ongoing dispute. They are now at peace with each other. It is a sign of being tired of the way things are currently, she explained. Aletha narrated how she was at a gathering where she met people from the rival faction and she was well received. I greeted everybody, person by person, irrespective of whether they support me or not, as gesture of peace, she said. A verdict in the disputed chieftaincy is expected to be delivered by the Supreme Court this month. On whether she will accept the leadership of her stepson if she loses the court battle, Aletha said that decision will depend on what her followers say. I can't yes or no. I will have to consult with my people. But whatever happens, we all need to sit down and talk things through, she said. According to her only God knows how the rivalry between the two factions will come to an end. She added that wishes peace and unity for the Ovambanderu community above anything else.