Herero chiefs ‘childish’: Young Democrats

THE CoD youth wing, the Young Democrats, has described as “childish” the actions of various Herero chiefs who decided to split into two groups based on political affiliation.

On Monday, Okakarara Senior Chief John Tjikuua announced that a number of Herero traditional leaders, clans and communities were no longer in favour of Herero Paramount Chief Kuaima Riruako holding dual positions as Herero chief and leader of the opposition party Nudo. Tjikuua argued that Riruako had marginalised communities not in support of his political party, replacing them with Nudo followers.The Young Democrats criticised Riruako’s decision to “wear two hats that have nothing in common”, as well as the action taken by the disgruntled group over the weekend.”The Chief should have realised then that heading a political party would obviously alienate those subjects of his that are not members or followers of his political party,” they said in a statement on Tuesday.Tjikuua and Chief Paulus Tjavara, who were chosen as the new leaders of the disgruntled group, were as guilty as Riruako of serving their political goals rather than traditional matters, the Young Democrats said.The statement called on the chiefs to either make peace for the sake of their subjects, or relinquish their positions of trust as traditional leaders.Tjikuua argued that Riruako had marginalised communities not in support of his political party, replacing them with Nudo followers. The Young Democrats criticised Riruako’s decision to “wear two hats that have nothing in common”, as well as the action taken by the disgruntled group over the weekend.”The Chief should have realised then that heading a political party would obviously alienate those subjects of his that are not members or followers of his political party,” they said in a statement on Tuesday.Tjikuua and Chief Paulus Tjavara, who were chosen as the new leaders of the disgruntled group, were as guilty as Riruako of serving their political goals rather than traditional matters, the Young Democrats said.The statement called on the chiefs to either make peace for the sake of their subjects, or relinquish their positions of trust as traditional leaders.