Africa-Press – Namibia. ACADEMIC Hoze Riruako, the new claimant to the throne of the Ovaherero Traditional Authority, says the government should consider that he was procedural in his road to the position of paramount chief.
Riruako was elected as the second paramount chief of the Ovaherero Traditional Authority (OTA) after a marathon senate meeting at Otjimbingwe over the weekend.
He and Mutjinde Katjiua, whose faction elected him as paramount chief in March last year, are now waiting for the government to decide which of the two it will recognise as the legitimate leader.
“I can stand here and say we did everything to the letter to make sure that we do not disenfranchise these people who have been so polarised,” Riruako said in an exclusive interview with Desert Radio this week.
According to Riruako, the Ovaherero customary law dictates that the OTA chairperson automatically attains the position of the acting paramount chief when the position becomes vacant.
The acting paramount chief is then supposed to convene the OTA council to nominate candidates who must, in 90 days, contest at the senate where the community will elect their new leader.
Riruako, whose faction is aligned to the chairperson of the OTA, Vipuira Kapuuo, said he decided to stand for leadership when he realised proper channels were not followed when Katjiua was elected as paramount chief.
“Immediately when the next person followed the unorthodox style, a great deal of the Otjiherero-speaking people came to me and said ‘you are from that bloodline, you have the leadership acumen that is needed’ and they told me to stand for this position,” Riruako said.
The government is now waiting for Riruako and Katjiua factions to submit their applications to be recognised as the chief of OTA.
Government-recognised traditional authorities are afforded perks, which include vehicles and monthly allowances.
SACRED
Riruako said now that the people voted, the ancestors of the Ovaherero people will decide who will be the next leader of the Ovaherero people.
“The chieftainship of the Ovaherero is sacred. We believe that it is the spirit of our ancestors and the good Lord who decide on it. It’s not something that should be played with,” Riruako said.
The Ovaherero chieftaincy became vacant after Vekuii Rukoro lost his battle against Covid-19 in June 2021. In 2014, Riruako stood for the chieftaincy against Rukoro, who won that election.
Now, Riruako says he understood that if the crown was meant to land on his head, it would eventually find its way back to him.
“When the late Rukoro and I were vying for the position, I said no, if this child is mine, the time will come when it will come back to me,” he said.
Riruako, who is a descendant of the late chief Hosea Kutako and nephew of Kuaima Riruako, said he was “elated” following his victory over the weekend, since he was born into the royal family of the Ovaherero traditional community.
He claimed victory over his senate opponents McHenry Venaani and Mike Kavekotora. Kapuuo’s faction last year nominated the three candidates for the position of paramount chief to contest Katjiua’s chieftainship.
UNITY IS PARAMOUNT
Riruako said unity is the bedrock of the Ovaherero community, adding that he will be the first one to stretch out his hand to bring about peace and unity in the community.
“We have a lot of factionalism among our people. This nation is at war with itself. I will be the first one to stretch my hand to anybody to make sure our nation is united,” Riruako said.
NOT ABOUT PERSONALITIES
Meanwhile, Katjiua said the chieftainship issue is not a question of personalities, but that of the due processes followed. He added that the matter is in the hands of the High Court and is sub judice.
He made reference to Kapuuo’s ongoing motion for case review against certain chiefs who have filed notices to defend themselves.
“So, the matter is before the High Court and it is for a the court to decide which process was above board,” Katjiua said.
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