Ondonga succession rift deepens

WITH Ondonga King Immanuel Kauluma Elifas now buried, the succession battle has a new face – Konisa Kalenga – whose name was announced by the family yesterday.

The announcement that Kalenga will succeed Elifas came after the crowning of Fillemon Shuumbwa Nangolo yesterday at Onambango, just a few kilometres from Elifas’ old palace at Onamungundo.

Elifas, who died on 26 March, was buried on Saturday.

The late Elifas appointed Nangolo as his successor in 2002, something that has been disputed by his nephew, Oscar Sheehama.

Last week, Sheehama approached the Windhoek High Court to restrain Nangolo from acting as Elifas’ successor. On Friday, the High Court struck Sheehama’s case off the roll after ruling that it was not urgent.

Elifas’ family spokesperson, Kuku Selma Gwanandjokwe Shejavali, told a press conference yesterday that Konisa Kalenga will be the next king.

Sheehama also said that he was never a contender, but was against Nangolo’s bid for the throne.

Shejavali said Kalenga was the next omutekulu (nephew) to the late omukwaniilwa Elifas, and a maternal son of late kuku Esther Gwashamba Elifas of the Oshaakondwa royal house.

According to Shejavali, the family followed the process as per customs and tradition, just like when Elifas succeeded Filemon yaElifas lyaShindondola, who ruled from 1970 to 1975.

“After a king dies, during the mourning period elders of the family sit down and identify who will follow. We identified Kalenga. The official inauguration will be announced. It doesn’t mean we take whoever.

“Elifas was the only one, and the top one. All his sisters are deceased. The next level of succession is that of his nephews. Those on the second level (where Nangolo falls), we cannot pick them,” she explained, adding that they have the blessing of the government. Oscar Sheehama, who spoke to The Namibian on the sidelines after the announcement, said: “As a family, we are focusing on what was done because it was done within the context of customary law, which dictates how succession should be done.

“If they have activities on the other side, it will come to an end. There will never be two wrongs. It will sort itself out, and we are confident that we will emerge out of this dispute. We are not doing this for pride but for unity, for the family and peace in Namibia,” he stressed.

Sheehama said succession should be done from top to bottom, and those at the bottom should wait for their turn as when they want to jump the queue, that is when the problem comes.

“Shuumbwa is at my level. I have no right to succeed because of my position in the family hierarchy, and so does he. Our turn will come when the elders have finished their chances.

“I do not attend to fictions and stories which are being told in darkness. Our main (court) application is still there. What was refused is that it was urgent.

“For them to coronate (sic), they must do it on behalf of the Ondonga Traditional Authority, which power they do not have,” Sheehama stated.

In the meantime, Konisa will go and sleep at his homestead in the Iikango village in the Oniipa constituency.

Nangolo, who has been under military protection since Elifas’ death, seems to have a considerable following.

He is being backed by some of the heavyweights, such as senior headman John Walenga and former Oshikoto governor Vilho Kamanya, who were dismissed in July 2017 by Elifas, together with the late former Ondonga Traditional Authority (OTA) chairperson Peter Kauluma, and former OTA spokesperson Joseph Asino.

Three other counsellors – Kashona kaMalulu, Tonata Ngulu and Fillemon Nambili –] were likewise dismissed.

Nangolo yesterday thanked the people for their support, and told them to hold hands to maintain the peace Elifas so much desired.

“I can see you have come in numbers. Kuku (uncle) did not leave me alone; he left me with his people. Ondonga has laws that have been guiding leaders who came before me.

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