The eight recognised traditional authorities representing the Damara communities have established the Damara Traditional Authorities' Chiefs Association (DATACA).

The decision comes after the recent consultations following the discussions which started in 2023.

DATACA Secretary General Walter Haseb explained. 

“I would like to underscore the recognised Traditional Authorities, namely, !OetGan; /Khomanin; ¥Aodaman;  /Gobanin; Nami-Daman; Tsoaxudaman; Dâuredaman; and /Gaiodaman. They have taken steps towards establishing a collective platform through which matters affecting Damara traditional leadership and the broader interests and welfare of the Damara people may be addressed collectively.”

DATACA will speak collectively on key areas including land and resettlement, access to basic services, education, youth development, economic empowerment and the preservation of Damara culture, language and heritage.

It also aims to strengthen the participation of traditional leadership in policy and legislative processes.

“The association is therefore intended to create a stronger and more coordinated institutional mechanism through which these metas can be identified, researched, prioritised and addressed collectively. The association recognises that unity does not require uniformity. I would like to repeat that. The association recognises that unity does not require uniformity. Each traditional leadership, as they are represented here, must remain distinct with its own history, customs, traditional leadership, community structures and jurisdiction.”

|Haseb added that the association will not replace or interfere with the individual traditional authorities, which retain their identities, customs, and jurisdictions.