THE Chief of the Afrikaner tribe, Hendrina Afrikaner (59) died instantly after the Government vehicle she was driving overturned on B1 highway, some 25 kilometres north of Keetmanshoop on Friday.
Police Inspector Ruben Ikela said the Toyota Hilux double cab veered of the road and overturned after Afrikaner had lost control over it. Ikela said Afrikaner was alone in the vehicle. Hardap Governor, Katrina Hanse-Himarwa, described the passing of Afrikaner as a ‘great loss’ to her tribe and all Nama people. She was indeed a ‘courageous strong leader, outstanding and exemplary woman, and a good adviser’, Hanse-Himarwa characterised the late Afrikaner. ‘In my human thinking the time for her to die was not right,’ Hanse-Himarwa said, citing the challenges ranging from infighting and power struggle within the traditional authorities. The Governor believes security Government renders to traditional leaders is insufficient. She said Government should at least allocate two official drivers to traditional leaders. Currently one official driver is allocated to traditional leaders and are on the Government payroll. ‘Asking what makes her (Afrikaner) to drive herself around?,’ while an official was appointed to chauffeur the chief, Hanse-Himarwa remarked: ‘The official driver was maybe on leave.’
