Shikati Boniface Shufu of the Mayeyi Traditional Authority has requested the government to proclaim the Sangwali area a village council to fast-track development.

In a speech read on his behalf by a member of the royal family, Albert Lushetile, at the Batshara Annual Cultural Festival, Shikati Shufu indicated the proclamation would address issues including better service delivery, rural migration, and unemployment.

"Water is not a want; it is a need. When children don't have accessible, clean water, this negatively impacts their health, nutrition, education, and every other aspect of their lives. Women and people living with disabilities are particularly impacted; there cannot be any development without water and electricity, yet 34 years after independence, we still do not have safe, attainable, and affordable water in some places."

He said despite the government having brought services to the communities in terms of drought relief, more boreholes are needed or the Katima Mulilo water pipeline must be extended to different villages and cattle posts.

"Human-wildlife conflict is real in this region, and this year's drought has worsened. The rate of human-wildlife will be on the increase as humans and wildlife compete for the same water sources. We urge the government to intervene in this matter to prevent the occurrence of such incidences."

He said water and electricity are essential for communities to be able to sustain themselves through gardens and various other projects.

"You may ask why we are calling on the central government for water, electricity, and other services that require our councillors to handle. It is true, but the answer for the past years is that there is no budget for our constituencies, meaning we have councillors without budgets. We are not surprised if they hide poor service delivery in the lack of budget."

This will reduce dependency on government handouts. 

He also called on the two councillors within the jurisdiction of the Mayeyi Traditional Authority to always engage and interact with the Traditional Authority.

The festival was held under the theme My culture, My pride.