SANKWASA URGES TRADITIONAL AUTHORITIES TO RESOLVE LEADERSHIP GAPS - nbc

Added: 2026-05-16

[00:00:00]Sankwasa used the occasion of the 111th anniversary of the Battle of the San Cubans to call for stronger respect for traditional leadership, culture, and customary law.

[00:00:11]He pointed to the recent designation and inauguration of traditional leaders in different communities, including the Baster and Griqua traditional authorities, as part of efforts to restore unity and direction. We cannot allow a country to become chaotic because of certain individuals who don't want to obey and they respect their own culture.

[00:00:34]The Baster community has had no captain for so many years.

[00:00:41]As a result, it was a community that was going astray without a direction, without a traditional leader.

[00:00:49]And uh we have achieved that >> [clears throat] >> and overcame that obstacle by inaugurating the captain.

[00:00:59]We already have ourselves >> [applause] >> Sankwasa also revealed that the Griqua traditional authority in Kavango had gone without a chief for 7 years before government intervention.

[00:01:13]The minister likened traditional leadership to social cohesion, arguing that customs remain central to identity and national unity, referencing the constitution, which recognizes customary law and traditional practices that existed before independence. No culture will be eradicated. No traditional practices will be eradicated.

[00:01:35]Because it's constitutional provided for.

[00:01:38]Our duty is to ensure unity amongst ourselves.

[00:01:47]We have to observe what is causing disunity among the people. Why suddenly do we have so many conflicts among traditional authorities in traditional communities.

[00:01:59]I'm trying to research, is it because there are some benefits that come with government which were not there before?

[00:02:08]When traditional communities were still looking after their own captains, they had benefits.

[00:02:13]But now maybe the government benefits are better than those. So everybody would rather to be captain or everybody wants to be chief. Despite the tensions, Sankwasa praised signs of reconciliation within some communities.