Urban and Rural Development Minister James Sankwasa is hopeful that the amendment of the Traditional Authorities and Council of Traditional Leaders Acts will address leadership disputes as well as mushrooming traditional authorities.
He expressed this at the opening of a five-day workshop aimed at making input to the amendments of the acts.
"We are dealing with new and serious problems, like ongoing disputes over leadership succession; the rise of new traditional communities wanting their own recognition apart from current traditional authorities; the need for better financial management, where traditional authorities must manage finances properly; and the changing situation that makes some rules in the two acts no longer effective."
Sankwasa called on traditional authority leaders and followers not to mix politics with traditional authority affairs.
"Politics is destructive to our culture and tradition. It must not be made a tweak to tradition. Most of the current traditional authorities have been recognised not because of culture and traditions but simply because of politics, and we have to remove politics from tradition."
Otjozondjupa Governor John ||Khamuseb urged the leaders to look beyond challenges and ensure the legal framework is clear, robust and supportive.
"I urge you to look beyond the immediate constraints. Focus on how these changes will enhance your ability to maintain peace, ensure welfare and promote development within your respective jurisdictions. We stand ready to work with you to ensure that these proposed amendments to the two acts reflect the aspirations of our people at the grassroots level."
The Council of Traditional Authorities' Chairperson, Immanuel |Gaseb, said the amendment of the two Acts is long overdue.
"The current legal framework no longer fully addresses these realities within our traditional leadership structures. The amendments we are proposing will strengthen governance, promote accountability and ensure that traditional authorities carry out their responsibilities clearly and acceptably."