Africa-Press – Namibia. Fumu Erwin Munika Mbambo of the Hambukushu traditional authority in Kavango East on Saturday said the splitting of the Kavango region in two has had negative impacts on traditional rule.
The Fumu made the remarks during the visit of Kavango East governor Hamunyera Hambyuka to his palace on Saturday.
Mbambo said the spilt and renaming of the region has created an image that the people from the two regions are from different tribal origins.
“Naturally, Kavango is only one – from East to West, South to North, not two Kavangos. Why don’t you come up with names that unite people and not bring division,’’ he asked.
“I don’t like this, and I’m not happy with it. Now you sing unity, but it’s just a song. Traditionally, we have got five traditional leaders and authorities in Kavango – but as traditional leaders, we are not divided by the naming of the region,” he said.
The Fumu also touched on the ‘chief’ title given to traditional leaders who are traditionally translated as kings and queens.
He said the title undermines them.
“You, politicians, use the ‘chief’ title and take traditional leaders for granted. When these Europeans came, they prescribed our positions in a simple way, with the intention that we have to respect them instead of the opposite. That’s why as traditional leaders we are being called chiefs. Can you call the late Queen Elizabeth a chief? Or can you call King Charles a chief? Why are Africans or Namibians in a similar status and position being called chiefs?,’’ he asked?
Fumu Mbambo said a chief is someone who is in charge of controlling a department like in the government,
“Now, you are calling traditional leaders or Hompas ‘chiefs’. The almighty God will punish you one day,’’ he warned.
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