Minister of urban and rural development James Sankwasa has ordered traditional authorities to appoint legitimate heirs by the end of 2026 to resolve leadership disputes caused by political influence.
Chief Johannes Isaak of the /Hai-/Haua Traditional Authority at Berseba in the ||Kharas region says political influence has been the greatest cause of conflict among traditional authorities, leading to many being without legitimate chiefs.
He said this in response to Sankwasa’s directive.
“Nama traditional leaders have in the past requested for adherence to existing laws, and the review of the Traditional Authorities Act to prevent political influence on traditional leaderships, because this is causing unnecessary leadership disputes,” Isaak says.
He says many Nama tribes are currently not enjoying access to their ancestral land, and are as a result accommodated by sister tribes, creating the impression that two to three chiefs are coronated within the same jurisdiction.
Isaak says the reason for the status quo is that they are not recognised by the government due to political influence.
Speaking at the 111th anniversary of the Battle of Sam !Khubis outside Rehoboth on Friday, Sankwasa said traditional authorities without chiefs are expected to have leadership in place before the end of this year.
He said the ministry will expect aspiring traditional chiefs to provide proof of their lineage to the throne as there are currently too many custodians of communal land within the same area.
This causes confusion regarding the administration of the Communal Lands Act, Sankwasa said.
“These unresolved disputes concerning chieftainship among traditional communities threaten stability and cultural cohesion within communities,” he said.
The minister revealed there were 34 recognised traditional authorities in 1998, which have grown to 50 in 2026.
Multiple applications for chieftainship are still pending at the ministry, he said.
Sankwasa asked how traditional authorities administer the Communal Lands Act in cases where there is an overlap of three traditional authorities in one area.
Council of Traditional Authorities chairperson Immanuel |Gaseb agreed with the minister, saying the greatest challenge facing traditional authority chieftainship are “mere arguments as everyone and anyone wants to become a chief”.
|Gaseb said these arguments persist even in cases where sitting chiefs have already indicated their successor.
“We don’t want a mushrooming of chieftainship. We’re not going to recognise any chief coming from squabbling communities. Let them come together and give us one name, then the government will proceed with recognition,” he said.
|Gaseb said traditional authorities without chiefs will not be allowed to attend the annual meeting of traditional councils at Lüderitz in September.
“For the past few years, we are only speaking to councillors, but these are the platforms for chiefs. So please know already, don’t come if you don’t have a chief, and if you can’t come together as a community, know that you’re denying your community the benefits they could have gained from the government,” he said.
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