Govt should pay chiefs more

TRADITIONAL leaders are in dire need of higher allowances from Government because of increased living costs and changing lifestyles in today’s world, an opposition Member of Parliament says.

DTA Deputy President Philemon Moongo on Tuesday tabled a motion in the National Assembly on the need to adjust the benefits and allowances of traditional leaders. He said in the old days chiefs received tributes and fines from their subjects, but this income was dwindling or dried up completely.No adjustments have been made in their State allowances and kings still receive only N$1 600 per month, while senior and junior headmen earn N$1 400 and N$1 000 respectively.”The traditional leaders need salaries to fulfil their duties and travel the vast communal stretches of land under their jurisdiction.The time to travel on horses, donkeys and cattle is over and the time to walk on bare feet over, as well as the time to obtain water from a traditional well,” Moongo said.”They also receive many visitors who need to receive hospitality, so the present allowances are peanuts.””Kings and headmen are in need of traditional offices in the regions and in every village – then we [can] serve the community,” he stated.Moongo proposed that Namibia should follow the example of South Africa, where traditional leaders and chiefs were recognised as public office bearers and received proper salaries.”They should also receive pension, funeral cover, medical aid and other benefits.I attended many funerals of kings and headmen – it was a shock to learn that there is no funeral cover or assistance.It was embarrassing, there were no proper coffins for a king and it is really disrespect of our traditional leaders, we cannot bury a person without dignity,” Moongo claimed.He said in the old days chiefs received tributes and fines from their subjects, but this income was dwindling or dried up completely.No adjustments have been made in their State allowances and kings still receive only N$1 600 per month, while senior and junior headmen earn N$1 400 and N$1 000 respectively.”The traditional leaders need salaries to fulfil their duties and travel the vast communal stretches of land under their jurisdiction.The time to travel on horses, donkeys and cattle is over and the time to walk on bare feet over, as well as the time to obtain water from a traditional well,” Moongo said.”They also receive many visitors who need to receive hospitality, so the present allowances are peanuts.””Kings and headmen are in need of traditional offices in the regions and in every village – then we [can] serve the community,” he stated.Moongo proposed that Namibia should follow the example of South Africa, where traditional leaders and chiefs were recognised as public office bearers and received proper salaries.”They should also receive pension, funeral cover, medical aid and other benefits.I attended many funerals of kings and headmen – it was a shock to learn that there is no funeral cover or assistance.It was embarrassing, there were no proper coffins for a king and it is really disrespect of our traditional leaders, we cannot bury a person without dignity,” Moongo claimed.