The OvaZemba youth held a demonstration in Windhoek to express disappointment in the government for not considering their community's application for recognition as a traditional authority.

Youth members in the OvaZemba community handed over a petition stating that they don't want to fall under the jurisdiction of the Uukolonkadhi Traditional Authority.

The Minister of Urban and Rural Development, Erastus Uutoni, confirmed receipt of the application for recognition.

The OvaZemba community has been residing in the northwestern area of the country along the Kunene River.

However, their community was divided into two during the colonial era, when it was divided between Angola and Namibia.

Since then, they have fallen under the Uukolonkadhi Traditional Authority.

"Our people had opposed being subjected to the traditional authority of Uukolonkadhi expressively, and we refuse to recognise their jurisdiction over us. However, the government has been supporting this tribal colonisation in an independent democratic country. We have nothing in common with the Uukolonkadhi traditional community," said OvaZemba community member Simeon Kalukuma.

Confirming receiving the OvaZemba community application for recognition as a traditional authority, Minister Utoni said that an investigation committee to speak to the community will be dispatched next month.

Utoni said the committee will report back to the ministry, after which other procedural issues will be addressed before recognition.

The petition further reads that the OvaZemba community is being marginalised and excluded from the benefits of the struggle to which their elders contributed.

They say their elders have been requesting an audience with the President to discuss the matter in an appropriate manner but to no avail.

"H.E. Dr. President, we come here before you demanding you to recognise us or order the Uukolonkadhi authority from ruling us. It pains our elders who, when they were fighting for the liberation of this country, the leadership of Uukolonkadhi traditional authority was a lavish marriage with the colonial regime," said Kalukuma.

Minister Uutoni said the ball has been set in motion and that the application has not fallen on deaf ears.

Deputy Minister of Sports, Youth, and National Service, Dr. Emma Kantema, received the petition on behalf of the president.

"Namibia is a country that is based on the rule of law. So what you have done, you have exercised your right as it is enshrined in the constitution, and from my side standing here representing the president, I can pledge to you that I will transmit your concerns to the relevant, competent institution that deals with the matters that you have raised."

The minister further commended the OvaZemba community for following the law throughout.