Ovaherero group pleased with Chief’s recognition

THE official Government recognition of Ovaherero Paramount Chief Kuaima Riruako just before Christmas last year – after a wait of more than 10 years – has been welcomed with great satisfaction by the Ovaherero Traditional Authority (OTA).

‘We take note of the official recognition and thank Government and President Hifikepunye Pohamba for a job well done,’ the authority said in a statement on Friday.
‘At the annual general meeting of the Authority at Aminuis in the Omaheke Region at the start of the year, we reaffirmed the confidence and trust in Paramount Chief Riruako as our undisputed chief,’ the OTA said.
‘We reaffirm that Chief Tumbee Tjombe is the proxy chief of the OTA, while Chief Riruako occupies a political office (in Parliament).’
According to the Traditional Authorities Act, a Chief can appoint a substitute to perform traditional duties on his behalf.
The OTA will organise a big function at the end of March to celebrate the chief’s official recognition.
Chief Riruako and about 39 other Herero traditional chiefs sued Government about eight years ago, demanding to be recognised again after they suddenly found themselves ‘unrecognised’ after a new law came into effect in 1995.
The Traditional Authorities Act stipulated that most chiefs and traditional councillors had to re-apply for official recognition – with the exception of a list of a few recognised traditional leaders. On that list were only four Herero leaders.
Government lawyers argued that that some of the applicants were ‘not traditional leaders, but were appointed by the South African Government as political appointees’.
In December 2001, the High Court set aside the decision of the Local and Regional Government Ministry not to recognise the 40 Herero Chiefs, including Riruako.
The court however fell short of granting them their second request: to order the Ministry to officially recognise them.
Eight years after the court ruling, Government has finally moved to recognise at least one Herero Chief – Riruako.