Niël Terblanché
President Nangolo Mbumba met with leaders of the eight northern traditional authorities at Oshakati to solidify his relationship with the region’s custodians of tradition and formally announce his incumbency as Head of State.
The meeting also served as a platform for the President to inform the leaders of his commitment to unity and cooperation and to address pressing environmental and agricultural challenges facing the northern regions.
Elenga Enene Herman Iipumbu, chairperson of the eight traditional authorities and representative of the Uukwambi Traditional Authority, conveyed the region’s concerns to the President.
The foremost issue highlighted was the inadequate rainfall this year, leading to a dismal outlook for mahangu (pearl millet) harvests, a staple crop vital for the local communities’ food security.
Iipumbu told the President that the drought has not only affected agriculture but has also resulted in water scarcity, with many wells and earth dams drying up, exacerbating the challenges for residents and livestock farmers alike.
He also informed the Head of State about the lack of grazing land due to the drought conditions and said that it poses a severe risk to the livestock upon which many locals depend for their livelihood.
Acknowledging the gravity of the situation, President Mbumba assured the traditional leaders and the communities they represent that the government recognizes the urgent need for intervention.
The President reassured the leaders that the government is ready to allocate significant resources towards alleviating the hardship caused by the drought, aiming to ensure the well-being of both the people and their livestock in these trying times.
Furthermore, President Mbumba seized the moment to stress the importance of unity and cohesion, especially as the nation gets ready to go to the polls in November.
He advised against divisions, stressing the nation’s motto of “one Namibia, one nation” as a guiding principle for collective action and mutual support.
The President’s call to avoid “division, groupings, and cliques” emphasizes his vision for a harmonious Namibian society that is resilient in the face of environmental challenges and steadfast in its pursuit of prosperity for all its members.
The meeting between President Mbumba and the northern traditional leaders signifies a crucial step in fostering collaboration between the government and traditional authorities.
The visit also highlighted the collective resolve to confront environmental adversities while nurturing a spirit of unity and national identity, pivotal for navigating the challenges that lie ahead.
