Okalongo’s got the Authority

THE establishment of the Okalongo Traditional Authority is in line with prevailing laws because the Constitution grants every person the right to enjoy, practice, profess, maintain and promote any culture, language, tradition or religion.

This was said by Minister of Regional, Local Government and Housing, Joel Kaapanda, when he officially inaugurated the Okalongo Traditional Authority at Onandjaba-Okalongo in the Omusati Region on Saturday. Mathias Walaula has been chosen as the Chief of the new authority.He told the gathering that the Okalongo Traditional Authority would consist of himself as the Chief and four Senior Traditional Councillors, including one woman, six Junior Traditional Councillors and 41 village headmen.Kaapanda “saluted and paid humble respect” to the community of Okalongo who had worked tirelessly towards the realisation of their own traditional authority.He said traditional structures were as old as the history of Africa.While they had not changed much, they still played a significant role in supporting and uplifting rural people.At the same time, Kaapanda called on traditional leaders to familiarise themselves with Acts such as The Combating of Rape Act, the Combating of Domestic Violence Act and the Maintenance Act.The Minister also referred to the area’s fertile land.He said Okalongo was renowned as a great producer of mahangu and had been the grain basket for most of northern Namibia.He urged residents to follow in their forefathers’ footsteps and to grow enough food for their people.He said that other natural resources like marula nuts, makalani nuts, spinach, aloe plants and many others should be utilised.The Okalongo District, with about 70 000 mostly Oshimbadja-speaking inhabitants, was part of the Oukwanyama Traditional Authority up to the early nineties.Saturday’s occasion was attended by the King of Ondonga, Immanuel Kauluma Elifas, who is also the Chairman of the Traditional Council in Namibia; Governor of the Omusati Region, Sackey Kayone; Senior Traditional Councillor Hiteni Shekudja; Councillor for the Okalongo Constituency John Hakaye; senior Government officials, traditional leaders from all the traditional authorities in the North; Governor; and regional and local councillors.Mathias Walaula has been chosen as the Chief of the new authority.He told the gathering that the Okalongo Traditional Authority would consist of himself as the Chief and four Senior Traditional Councillors, including one woman, six Junior Traditional Councillors and 41 village headmen.Kaapanda “saluted and paid humble respect” to the community of Okalongo who had worked tirelessly towards the realisation of their own traditional authority.He said traditional structures were as old as the history of Africa.While they had not changed much, they still played a significant role in supporting and uplifting rural people.At the same time, Kaapanda called on traditional leaders to familiarise themselves with Acts such as The Combating of Rape Act, the Combating of Domestic Violence Act and the Maintenance Act.The Minister also referred to the area’s fertile land.He said Okalongo was renowned as a great producer of mahangu and had been the grain basket for most of northern Namibia.He urged residents to follow in their forefathers’ footsteps and to grow enough food for their people.He said that other natural resources like marula nuts, makalani nuts, spinach, aloe plants and many others should be utilised.The Okalongo District, with about 70 000 mostly Oshimbadja-speaking inhabitants, was part of the Oukwanyama Traditional Authority up to the early nineties.Saturday’s occasion was attended by the King of Ondonga, Immanuel Kauluma Elifas, who is also the Chairman of the Traditional Council in Namibia; Governor of the Omusati Region, Sackey Kayone; Senior Traditional Councillor Hiteni Shekudja; Councillor for the Okalongo Constituency John Hakaye; senior Government officials, traditional leaders from all the traditional authorities in the North; Governor; and regional and local councillors.