TRADITIONAL leaders of the Ondonga Traditional Authority have defended the appointment of influential people as senior headmen, village headmen and headwomen, saying they do not execute traditional duties on their own.
Yet villagers are accusing leaders of ruling in absentia.
These comments were expressed after the Ondonga Traditional Authority on Saturday crowned businesswoman Martha Namundjebo-Tilahun as headwoman of the Ohailombo village.
The village was previously headed by her late parents.
Namundjebo-Tilahun is a Windhoek-based businesswoman.
DELEGATING DUTIES
I-Ben Nashandi, executive director in the Office of the Prime Minister, who is also the headman of Iikokola village, says although he is not based at the village, he executes his traditional responsibilities “properly”.
“Headmen do not work alone, they are assisted by secretaries and committees. We divide our tasks and make time to attend to them.
“Work does not suffer. I can travel on Friday after five oclock and attend to community issues the whole Saturday and come back to Windhoek on Sunday,” he says.
He says headmen or headwomen are not appointed due to the positions they may hold, but because they are from specific villages.
“Before they were politicians, they were from a village,” Nashandi says.
He says a village head must be able to influence his or her people, and delegate tasks people from the village to execute his or her duties.
Frans Enkali, the secretary of Ondonga Traditional Authority, says influential people are appointed to influence people and to encourage them to work.
“It cannot be like in the past where a person came and sat around. A person must come and initiate a project,” he says.
PROMISES
Namundjebo-Tilahun is not based at the village, but promised not to neglect residents, saying she would be cooperating with the village secretary.
She also promised to address issues such as access to clean water, electricity and proper roads.
King Fillemon Nangolo, the current Ondonga king, on Saturday said his decision to appoint Namundjebo-Tilahun as headwoman follows the tradition already set by his predecessor.
Namundjebo-Tilahun is the second business person to be appointed to the Ondonga Traditional Authority this year.
In August, businessman David Nghipunduka was appointed as headman of Iilagati village.
Nangolo in March appointed 10 people to serve on his traditional council. The council includes former deputy minister of environment, forestry and tourism Tommy Nambahu, who was appointed senior headman.
Nangolo also appointed his bodyguard and air force colleague warrant officer Phillemon Kalumbu.
Other appointments include former Oshikoto chief regional officer Frans Enkali, who was appointed as the Ondonga Traditional Authoritys new secretary.
Nangolo also appointed former Public Service Commission chairperson retired ambassador Eddie Amkongo, deputy executive director of public enterprises Louise Shixwameni, and the head of the Ruben Danger Ashipala Police Training Centre deputy commissioner Rebecca Amukogo.
Veteran northern businessman Gerhard Kambonde, and historian and prolific author Lukas Shangwana also serve on the kings council.
Politicians who are traditional leaders include former minister of defence and veterans affairs Charles Namoloh, who is the village headman of Odibo village in the Oukwanyama Traditional Authority, and retired ambassador Bonny Haufiku as headman of Ohalushu village.
Namibian Economic Freedom Fighters parliamentarian Longinus Kalimbo Iipumbu was in January this year installed as headman of Epyenene village under the Oukwanyama Traditional Authority.
Other traditional leaders include minister of finance Iipumbu Shiimi, minister of information and communication technology Peya Mushelenga (of Oshigambo), and Namibian ambassador to Russia Clemens Kashuupulwa, who heads Ondjondjo village near Oshakati.
