The Nyemba-speaking people in Namibia are calling for an investigation into alleged tribal discrimination against their community.

In a petition, the group also dismissed accusations that they sought recognition as a tribal authority.

The group staged a demonstration at Rundu, handing over a petition to the Chairperson of the Kavango East Regional Council for the attention of President Hage Geingob.

The demonstrators cited as tribal discrimination a decision by the five traditional authorities in the two Kavango regions to oppose the airing of a radio show in Nyemba on the Namibian Broadcasting Corporation's Wato FM.

Subject to its editorial policy, nbc management approved the Va Nyemba committee's request to broadcast a one-hour program in that language.

This decision irked traditional authorities, who requested an audience with the Minister of Information and Communication Technology, Dr Peya Mushelenga, to air their objections.

The spokesman of the Va Nyemba Committee, Alias Tapalo, dismissed suggestions that the committee was seeking recognition as a tribal authority.

"The Va Nyemba-speaking community wants to make it categorically clear that the issue of traditional jurisdiction and chieftainship must be differentiated from the issue of the language. These are two different issues raised by two different people, and they must be regarded as such. We would like to inform the public at large that we distance ourselves from such untruthfulness."

Tapalo said the Va Nyemba as a people have the right to preserve and practice their language as well as culture in their dialect on public platforms.

"The purpose of this petition is to express our concern and disappointment with any and all tribalism and discrimination practices experienced by the Va Nyemba-speaking people, who are regarded as a non-recognised group of people born, bred, and raised in this country."

Through his lawyers, Metcalfe Beukes Attorneys, Governor Bonifatius Wakudumo denied accusations that he was among those leading opposition to the airing of the program.

The lawyers also advised Wakudumo not to receive the petition, describing it as based on "fake facts."

In a media statement, Wakudumo condemned discrimination, if any, against the Va Nyemba, including their demand for a radio show on WATO FM.

The Governor said he was aware of the disagreement between the traditional authorities and the Va Nyemba-speaking people.

His role, Wakudumo says, was only to mediate between the two parties in his capacity as governor.

In response, the nbc says it is aware of the matter and its sensitivity as it affects the particular region and beyond.

This has necessitated management to carefully re-examine the concerns with the view to finding an amicable solution.