We Want Our Own Region
DIFFERENT views had been raised, opinions shared and criticism availed about the proposal submitted to the Delimitation Commission by the Ondonga Traditional Authority and some prominent aaNdonga about the necessity of creation a new region, which some people wrongly or rightly assume would be known as Ondonga region.
Being omuNdonga and an inhabitant of the vast Oshikoto region, I concur with those that believe a new region is necessary and long overdue. My reasons being that Oshikoto region (our current region) is unreasonably vast and this make it difficult for the regional council with its head office in Omuthiya (previously Tsumeb) to implement developmental programmes and projects through the constituency offices and the office of the chairperson of the regional council effectively and efficiently.
For those who are not well acquainted with the boundary of Oshikoto region, let me aprise you on its vastness: Oshikoto region stretches from Oshigambo in Oniipa constituency to Onoololongo in Omuntele constituency; it also covers the area as far as Tsitsabis, Tsumeb, Eengodi da natuwe, Okankolo etc. Can you now imagine a person coming as far as Tsumeb to attend a regional meeting at Omunyankwe in Okankolo constituency? It does not make sense from the economic point of view.
Moreover, it defies logic that a town like Ondangwa where the Ondonga traditional offices are situated is in the Oshana region. This means our King of Ondonga, His Majesty King Kauluma who is a resident of Onamungundo in Olukonda Constituency of Oshikoto region, has to commute between Oshikoto and Oshana regions everyday to carry out his traditional duties in Oshana and come to sleep at his Ombala in Oshikoto region. Is that not an insult to us Aandonga? Tell me of any other chief who is being subjected to that kind of treatment in Namibia!
It should be noted that most of those who are opposing the establishment of the new region are not Aandonga, and it is very interesting that some fellow Namibians felt it necessary to oppose and shoot down the Aandonga proposal without weighing the substance of the proposal.
Why can’t they just focus on their region and allow us to demand what we think is good for us and our people?
When the Delimitation Commission held hearings in the Oshana region, did we, as Aandonga interfere? Now who are they to tell us that we cannot think for ourselves?
So, the advocacy for the new region must go ahead and it should be supported by all progressive and peace-loving Namibians notwithstanding its name – be it Ondonga Region or Peter Nanyemba Region.
The notion of tribalism is baseless and false, because Namibia will not be the first country to have a region/province named after the clan of one of its people. Several examples can be found in countries like South Africa where there is a province called Kwazulu-Natal and Zimbabwe where provinces of Mashonaland and Matabeleland are found but they do not attribute that to tribalism.
Last but not least, fellow Namibians, let’s put our differences aside and build this great nation. Vision 2030 will not be realised if we continue fighting over petty issues like the regional names. So leave us alone those who see the necessity for Ondonga region. You can also demand yours as long as you are doing it within the framework of the Namibian laws.
Sem “Col Gaddafi” Kateta,
Oshikoto Region
* ‘Ours? ‘Yours?’ ‘Theirs?’ ‘Us?’ ‘They?’ So, as long as something is done within the laws of the country it should be accepted as correct? The Namibian is loathed to publishing these sort of divisive views but it may be worthwhile showing just what direction the country has been headed and what is now considered as normal. If this is not an example of undercurrent tribalism, then what constitutes further division of Namibia into tribal fiefdoms? Countries with bigger populations, resources and land mass deliver better services and prosperity with far fewer regions/provinces/states. That makes a mockery of the argument that carving Namibia up into more regions and constituencies will lead to better services for the masses. - Editor