KAVANGO WEST – During the 23rd anniversary of Hompa Alfons Kaundu’s chieftainship, Governor Sirkka Ausiku of Kavango West Region called on the Mbunza community to foster peace and avoid disputes within the royal family. The event, which took place at the palace in Kapako, also included a presentation on the history of the vaMbunza people and addressed the outcomes of a recent court judgment concerning the chieftainship.

According to Namibia Press Agency, the recent court proceedings, which concluded in May 2024 with a judgment on the removal of Hompa Kaundu as Chief of the Mbunza Traditional Authority, indicated no imminent disputes among the royal family members themselves. Ausiku suggested that it might be members of the Mbunza community outside the royal family who are instigating these disputes. She emphasized the importance of unity and encouraged all members of the community, including those who challenged Kaundu’s leadership, to come together to move forward peacefully.

Governor Ausiku expressed pride in the community’s efforts to document their history and urged them to continue educating others to prevent misunderstandings and disputes about the royal succession. She proposed the publication of a book detailing the history of the ovaMbunza people and the selection process for chiefs, which could serve as a reference to help resolve future disputes.

Hompa Kaundu also addressed the assembly, recounting the events that led to his leadership and describing such positions as divinely ordained. He highlighted the negative impact of disputes on development and resource allocation and invited all community members, including his challengers, to reconcile and work together for the collective good of the Mbunza people.