THE Elders’ Council of the Afrikaner Traditional Authority (/Hoa /Aran //Aixa //Aes) on Thursday evening gave Isak //Gowaseb their support as new leader of the group after the death of former chief Hendrina Martha Afrikaner in August.
In a statement the Elders’ Council said the final say to determine the destiny of the tribe, with the ‘executive power and jurisdiction’ to appoint the new chief to the highest position of captain, lies with the elders. It said //Gowaseb was appointed by majority vote to the position of clan chief on October 22 at the Goreangab School in Katutura. The elders called on Petrus Olman to ‘keep a distance and to alienate himself from any deliberations, decisions and affairs of the Afrikaner people and never speak on our behalf’. ‘Our advice to you, Olman, [is to] consult your elders in Outjo or elsewhere, get to know your ancestral roots (you should have some) and develop them so as to guide your grandchildren and to make them aware of who they are,’ the Elders’ Council statement said. Willem Beukes of the traditional authority said Olman was unilaterally elevated to the position of captain at a meeting at Mariental at the start of October.Beukes said the old council members appointed by Hendrina Afrikaner had arrived at the decision, but said they were ‘deadwood’ who have not gone to the clan to consult on the matter. Olman was appointed as acting chief on a four-monthly rotational basis after Afrikaner had died. He said the traditional authority has submitted 906 of 1500 names in support of //Gowaseb to the Minister of Regional and Local Government and Housing, Rural Development, Jerry Ekandjo. ‘//Gowaseb must return to the clan,’ said Beukes. //Gowaseb has accepted the new position of captain. ‘My presence here among you is in the obedience to your clarion call to lead you to greater heights and prosperity,’ said //Gowaseb in acceptance on Thursday. ‘I shall work and labour towards the development, empowerment, economic prosperity and reconciliation of all our people,’ said //Gowaseb. ‘Our road is not an easy road, but to take hands and strive for a goal which we set ourselves will undoubtedly make it work.’
