OGân Youth Warn Against Tribal Division

Adam Hartman

22 June 2011

The youth of the OGân Traditional Authority, under the leadership of Chief Immanuel Gâseb, are condemning the division caused after the official handover of the Damara People’s House in Okombahe by Government to the OGân about two weeks ago.

While it was clearly stated by the Erongo Governor, Cleophas Mutjavikua, who facilitated the handover with Daures Constituency Councilor, Ernst Katjiku, that the house should be used for the “upliftment of the community”, and should be used by all Damaras, regardless of political or religious affiliation, those behind Damara traditional leader Justus Garob feel that Government had no place in handing over the house to Gaseb’s OGân Traditional Authority to manage.

A petition and protest followed the handover where Garob’s followers demanded that the handover be nullified, and also called on Government to prove that the house was, in fact, government property.

Gâseb said the house was built by the former South African Government, and inaugurated by Garob in 1986, but that the Swapo-led Government of Namibia took over all administrative buildings at Independence. And even though it was considered by Damaras as the Damara People’s House, it still belonged to Government, and would only be managed by the OGân – yet still to be used by all Damaras.

Those on Garob’s side are adamant that the house was built by Damaras, with Damara money and for Damara purposes and ruled by the Damara King’s Council under the kingship of Garob.

“The OGân Traditional Authority, as any other organisation, has the right to occupy state property whether it was constructed by colonial government or by the current government, provided that they have authorisation from the relevant Ministry and in this case, OGân has the right to utilise People’s House (Haos Oms) for the benefit of OGân and all Damara people, no matter what clan, political party, or religious group you belong to, even the King’s council or any other person is welcome to utilise the accommodation or conference facilities provided that you contribute to the Development Trust of OGân and the maintenance of Haos Oms for the future,” said youth leader Lesley Tjongarero.

According to him, the youth within Okombahe, Spitzkoppe, Tubusis, Uis and other settlements within Dâures constituency have been sidelined from developmental activities from the time of Damara Volks Organisasie (DVO) till now.

“We want development, not demonstrations. We want unity not division and if the aim of the King’s Council is division among the broader Damara community then we the youth of !OGân will stand up and protect Gaob Immanuel Nu-axa Gâseb as he has the interest of unity among Damara people on his heart, and we are sending a loud warning to those leaders within the community which oppose unity for their personal enrichment that we will deal with you,” he warned.

In the meantime, The Namibian learned that a meeting was held over the past weekend where Garob’s King’s Council met with the community and drew up resolutions regarding the conflict of interest regarding the Damaras People’s House and the !OGân leadership, amongst others. These resolutions will be addressed and feedback on decisions will apparently be announced next month.

Amongst others, the newspaper understands that the Damara traditional communities will submit a ‘structure of leadership’, “entirely elected by the communities by the end of next month”.

Those on Garob’s side are calling for the removal of Gâseb and his traditional leaders who all serve on the Traditional Authority Council, of whom Gâseb is the deputy chairman.

The request is made so that the traditional communities of the Damaras can elect their own leaders in terms of the Traditional Authority Act.

They have called upon the Minister of Regional and Local Government and Housing and Rural Development, Jerry Ekandjo, to “freeze the salaries and activities” of the !OGân Traditional Authority and also “temporarily withdraw the transport” given to the traditional authority.

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