/Gaseb: Mushrooming of traditional leaders a concern

The chairperson of the Council of Traditional Leaders, Chief Immanuel /Gaseb has said there is a concerning number of people who want to become traditional leaders.

Speaking to the media during a courtesy visit to President Hage Geingob here on Wednesday, / Gaseb said according to customary law, when a chief dies, the follower must come from the royal house. The council is however inundated with disputes concerning traditional leadership.

“Nowadays it looks like people are seeking jobs through traditional leadership. Everyone wants to come to traditional leadership and it’s not a household issue, one must come from a royal house to be a traditional leader,” he noted.

The!Oe-#Ganchiefsaidthecouncil receives applications annually from traditional communities seeking recognition as traditional authorities, but most applicants do not meet the requirements as stipulated by law.

He added that the government spends a lot of money on carrying out investigations on the legitimacy of the recognition.

The council during its 23rd annual meeting approved nine applications to be recognised by President Geingob in terms of Section 5 of the Traditional Authorities Act, 2000.

At the same occasion, Geingob said it is important for the public to know that traditional issues are solved by the council and not by the Office of the President.

“Traditionally, there must be a way of succession. When you look at the United Kingdom succession, it was smooth, was there a quarrel? No, it was a tradition. It is supposed to be that way here too. Now I have to be put in a place to choose a leader for a tribe. It must come from the people,” Geingob stressed.

He further said all traditional matters should be addressed by the Council of Traditional Leaders, which then advises the President on the control and utilisation of communal land and on any other matters as may be referred to it by the President for advice.