Ondangwa, September 8 — President of the Republic of Namibia, Her Excellency Dr. Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, officially opened the 26th Annual Meeting of the Council of Traditional Leaders in Ondangwa on Monday, emphasizing the urgent need for unity, accountability, and cultural preservation in Namibia’s traditional governance system.
Addressing traditional leaders and dignitaries in attendance, President Nandi-Ndaitwah highlighted the Council’s crucial role in strengthening community cohesion and supporting the nation’s socio-economic development. She commended the organizers for bringing together leaders from across Namibia to discuss pressing issues affecting local communities.
In her speech, the President congratulated newly installed leaders, Chief Gilbert Muhongo Mutwa of the Masubia Traditional Authority and Hompa Eugene Siwombe of the Uukwangali Traditional Authority, while urging them to prioritize unity in their communities. She expressed concern over succession disputes, noting that more than ten traditional authorities currently remain without leadership due to unresolved conflicts. “Such disputes are divisive and weaken the integrity of our traditional governance. They deny communities essential services and erode our cultural values,” she cautioned, urging leaders to embrace customary solutions and utilize community courts for conflict resolution.
The President also called on traditional authorities to combat corruption, particularly in the allocation of communal land. “It is no longer business as usual,” she declared. “When communal land is sold to the highest bidder, the poor are deprived of land to live on and farm. Such practices must end.”
Highlighting Namibia’s high youth unemployment rate of 44.4 percent, Dr. Nandi-Ndaitwah encouraged traditional leaders to identify opportunities within their communities, including the use of communal land for investment and job creation. She reaffirmed her administration’s commitment to unlocking Namibia’s agricultural potential, citing recent progress in Green Scheme farms across the Zambezi, Kavango, and Omusati regions.
The Head of State also addressed the alarming rise in suicides, particularly among men, with over 540 cases recorded in the 2023/2024 period. She appealed to traditional leaders to use their influence to help address the crisis, provide support, and raise awareness in their communities.
Reflecting on Namibia’s cultural heritage, President Nandi-Ndaitwah reminded leaders of the late Founding President Dr. Sam Nujoma’s words: “A nation without culture is like a tree that has no roots.” She urged the Council to safeguard and promote cultural traditions for future generations, stressing that culture should unite, uplift, and guide communities.
In conclusion, the President reiterated the government’s recognition of the Council of Traditional Leaders as custodians of Namibia’s culture and partners in governance. She declared the 26th Annual Meeting officially open, encouraging leaders to engage in productive deliberations for the advancement of the nation.
