EENHANA: The mayor of Okahao Town in the Omusati Region has appealed to the residents of that town to refrain from operating jukeboxes as from Wednesday until after the burial of late King Jafet Malenga Munkundi on Saturday afternoon.

David Isai made the appeal in an interview with NAMPA on the sideways of the Eenhana Trade and Business EXPO’s official opening ceremony in the Ohangwena Region on Wednesday.

Isai said Okahao Town falls under the jurisdiction of Ongandjera Traditional Authority (OTA) and, as such, all the residents of the town are expected to give their last respect by refraining from operating the jukeboxes and entertaining themselves with loud sound of music at the town.

Senior Headman Nahum Kamati Joel of the OTA also announced the death of Munkundi and also made similar appeal through Oshiwambo Service Station of the Namibia Broadcasting Corporation (NBC) on behalf of that traditional authority this week.

Joel confirmed that Munkundi will be buried at the cemetery, where the kings of Ongandjera used to be buried at Okahao Town, this Saturday.

The funeral service, Joel said, will start in the church building of the Lutheran Church at Okahao on Saturday morning, while the memorial service is scheduled to be held at ombala/palace of Ongandjera at Uukwandongo village near Okahao as from 12h00 on Friday.

According to Joel, the OTA has suspended its traditional court sessions and traditional meetings in the villages across the Ongandjera District since the day Munkundi passed away until further notice.

Munkundi has been the king of Ongandjera since the past some 41 years, succeeded King Uushona Shiimi who died in a car accident near Ogongo village also in the Omusati Region in 1971.

Munkundi died due to illness at the age of 83 years in a Windhoek Hospital on Thursday last week. The late respected king of Ongandjera is survived by his wife Hertha and 19 children.