OTJINENE: Chief of the Otjika Tjamuaha Royal House and leader of the Maharero Traditional Authority, Tjinani Maharero has issued a stern warning to his subject that he will allow the interference of politics in traditional matters.
In an attempt to mend severed relationship between members of the various political parties active at Otjinene, Maharero on Thursday told Nampa that he is there for all descendants of the Maharero clan and those over whom he has jurisdiction The youthful leader, who was installed two weeks after the death of his father, Chief Alfons Kaihepovazandu Maharero earlier this year as his successor, said he has observed that political divisions have caused to disunity amongst community members, adding that such scenario needed to be reversed.
“I am not here to unite parties, but to serve the interests of the Maharero Royal House and the community of Otjinene. Therefore, we are all one under the banner of traditional matters when we come together and not members of so or so party,” he noted.
Otjinene, currently under the leadership of the National Unity Democratic Organisation (Nudo) has over the years proven to be the party’s major stronghold, especially in regional and Local Authority elections.
But the penetration of other parties in the constituency, most notably the ruling Swapo party has threatened to take away much needed votes from Nudo, as such causing divisions amongst the different party members.
Otjinene, where the Maharero Royal House rule supreme, has also been troubled by the fact that most Nudo supporters here do not hold the party president and Ovaherero Chief Kuaima Riruako in high regard due to the protracted feud between him and the late Kaihepovazandu Maharero.
It was such age-old feud that led to the showdown at the last Heroes Commemoration event at Okahandja, when Riruako allegedly ordered the relocation of the clan’s Okuruuo (Holy Fire), claiming that it had been facing the wrong direction all the years.
As most Nudo members struggle to put a clear cut distinction between party activities and traditional matters – mainly because both are usually led by Riruako, non-Nudo members often feel left out of traditional matters.
“When you come to a traditional gathering, let it be a just that. As much as we respect you political affiliation, let us stay clear of political party colours at traditional gatgerings to avoid intimidating others,” Maharero noted.
He said political division, if handled lightly, has the infamous potential of further dividing communities, leaving each one to fend for himself – a situation he says makes development almost impossible.
“We all need development in this region. Let us forget about politics for a while and take each other’s hands when it comes to advancing traditional matters and economic development,” said Maharero.
(edited)OTJINENE – Chief of the Otjika Tjamuaha Royal House and leader of the Maharero Traditional Authority, Tjinani Maharero, has issued a stern warning to his subjects that he will not allow the interference of politics in traditional matters.
In an attempt to mend severed relationships between members of the various political parties active at Otjinene, Maharero on Thursday told Nampa that he is there for all descendants of the Maharero clan and those over whom he has jurisdiction.
The youthful leader, who was installed two weeks after the death of his father Chief Alfons Kaihepovazandu Maharero earlier this year as his successor, said he has observed that political divisions have caused disunity amongst community members, adding that such scenarios needed to be reversed.
“I am not here to unite parties, but to serve the interests of the Maharero Royal House and the community of Otjinene. Therefore, we are all under one banner of traditional matters when we come together and not members of so or so party,” he noted.
Otjinene, currently under the leadership of the National Unity Democratic Organisation (Nudo), has over the years proven to be the party’s major stronghold, especially in Regional and Local Authority elections.
But the penetration of other parties in the constituency, most notably the ruling Swapo-Party, has threatened to take away much needed votes from Nudo, and as such causing divisions amongst the different party members.
Otjinene, where the Maharero Royal House rule supreme, has also been troubled by the fact that most Nudo supporters here do not hold the party president and Ovaherero Chief Kuaima Riruako in high regard due to the protracted feud between him and the late Kaihepovazandu Maharero.
It was such age-old feuds that led to the showdown at the last Heroes’ Commemoration event at Okahandja, when Riruako allegedly ordered the relocation of the clan’s Okuruuo (Holy Fire), claiming that it had been facing the wrong direction all the years.
As most Nudo members struggle to put a clear cut distinction between party activities and traditional matters – mainly because both are usually led by Riruako – non-Nudo members often feel left out of traditional matters.
“When you come to a traditional gathering, let it be just that. As much as we respect your political affiliation, let us stay clear of political party colours at traditional gatherings to avoid intimidating others,” Maharero urged.
He said political division, if handled lightly, has the infamous potential of further dividing communities, leaving each one to fend for him/herself – a situation he says makes development almost impossible.
“We all need development in this region. Let us forget about politics for a while and take each other’s hands when it comes to advancing traditional matters and economic development,” said Maharero.