Vaalgras chieftainship

DISGRUNTLED NATIVE WRITES:

The Vaalgras Traditional Authority convened a community meeting on Saturday 18 April 2026 at their embattled traditional seat Vredefontein. It was reportedly to give feedback on the tasks of the previous meeting held on 2 August 2025. 

However, it was evident that the timing of the meeting was not correct ahead of the coronation of the opposing chief on 1 May 2026 at the traditional palace intended for the annual traditional festival also scheduled for the same weekend per the usual custom.

Once again, it has transpired that both the six (6) members of the sitting traditional council and the campaigning individuals or groups of the community had subterranean agendas to advance their personal interests. The Vredefontein Stephanus family faction boycotted the meeting, but has delegated a few spies to attend the meeting. One could have observed that as long as the latter group has decided and are allowed to boycott officially called meetings and as long as they are refusing to sit around the same table with the “Kwaairivier Stephanuse” to deliberate on the question of one sole candidate from the Stephanus family, there will be no solution. 

The powers and mandate, as well as the honesty of the Vaalgras Traditional Authority (VTA), were highly questioned and petitioned, due to their vested interest in clinging onto power for as long as possible not to lose out on their allowances. It was seriously alleged that they are intentionally withholding certain critical information from the community and are distorting information to advance their personal gain. Moreover, it came to light that some of the traditional councillors have ambitions to become a Chief, which impedes peace talks. It was also underscored that the sitting Traditional Council has narrowly escaped a “Vote of No Confidence”. 

I put the blame squarely on the doorstep of the line ministry, being the Urban & Rural Development Ministry for their salient silence and reluctance to intervene strategically and/or to come up with corrective remedial measures, viz. legislative amendments as societal behaviour changes over the years. The Vaalgras chieftainship dispute started during the reign of former Minister, Hon. Jerry Ekandjo and Hon. James Sankwasa is probably the 9th succeeding minister without any solution, including five Heads of State. 

Vaalgras is perhaps an exception, because of its long-lasting ties with the Swapo Party, which makes them untouchable for reasons best known to the comrades. 

The poor community can’t be without a chief for decades, because we are losing out on socio-economic gains that the other tribes are reaping. Once again, I blame the Ministry for having accepted a second application from the same traditional community, whilst they know exactly that they only need the name of one sole candidate for recognition and subsequent Gazetting. 

The meeting was marred by mistrust, dishonesty, co-accusations and backstabbings etc. We’ve failed again for the 8th time to settle the dust, and the solution appears to be unpredictable, unless through a democratic election. The Government must really clarify the seniority and the supremacy between the Customary Law and the Traditional Authorities Act No. 25 of 2000, because it creates confusion, especially if it comes to succession race. 

As a result thereof, there were proposals made at that meeting to file a petition for the appointment of the Investigation Committee, to go to democratic elections under the auspices of the Electoral Commission of Namibia and to opt for Internal Committees to find an amicable solution to our quest. I think two Investigating Commissions were appointed already in the past, and the outcome withheld for political reasons. The other one was to set aside the conflicting Customary Law and to go back to the traditional practices of succession, which actually means elections in essence. 

One must perhaps put it peremptorily on record that some community members and factions enjoy the status quo, because the Government also allows and entertains it. The situation if not curbed timely will have far-reaching consequences and repercussions to the extent that every household will elect their own chief or is it what we want to witness? 

At times, I’m asking myself what happened to the well-praised “Orlams”, who were regarded as hard working, law-abiding, peace-loving and that class of people to look up to? Or is it because there are no original Orlams any longer, which you can refer to as pure royal breeds? 

On the other hand, that’s what makes automatic succession very difficult. The meeting has equally opted to amend the Customary Law in the absence of a substantive chief. Those are perhaps one of the areas where the Government must come in. The other serious bone of contention was the firing of two traditional councillors, including the legitimate Chairperson of the Traditional Authority, who is also known to the Ministry. Now, the question begs, what’s the legitimacy of all the resolutions taken at community meetings, if the meeting isn’t well constituted? Hon. Sankwasa, the loud is becoming louder and heavier; the earlier you come in, the better. That’s my final cry and clarion appeal to the Government and in particular, the Line Ministry. 

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