Hai Khaua Chiefs Crowned

Fifi Rhodes

9 May 2011

Berseba — The Hai-Khaua clans of Berseba in the Karas Region on Saturday turned up in large numbers for the coronation ceremony of Johannes Isaack and Stephanus Goliath, as chief and deputy chief respectively.

The coronation of the two chiefs puts a seal to attempts to unite a people that have lived in division and often in hostility for 40 years.

Nearly 3000 people attended the ceremony.

Chief Johannes Isaack, in his inauguration speech, said the event should be seen as a significant milestone and that his followers were no longer ready to accept the continued stalemate in the various negotiations.

“The Hai-Khaua is on the move for greater things,” he said. “The Hai-Khaua Traditional Authority is mindful of the regrettable absence of those heroes and heroines who passed on while awaiting the dawn of this occasion.”

Meanwhile, about 800 metres from the coronation venue, a splinter group of about 300 people led by Thomas Karools gathered.

The group publicly rejected the leadership of Isaack and Goliath, claiming that not all Hai-Khaua people were consulted.

Karools said: “We just want to show that there are also people that think differently in Berseba.”

Isaack said the task now is to study the supreme law of the country with a view to accommodate what is good without compromising the essence of traditions and associated practices. He promised that he and his deputy would ensure that the people would always have a voice.

The new chief informed the gathering that his team had prepared and submitted an application for recognition of the Hai-Khaua Traditional Authority to the Government.

He also informed the gathering that the people had created the Brukkaros development partnership to bring socio-economic development to the settlement.

Speaking at the same occasion Karas Regional Governor, Bernadus Swartbooi, said there is no more time to focus on petty political issues but the nation must rather focus on vigorous economic development.

Chairman of the Nama Traditional Chiefs Association, Chief Dawid Frederik of Bethanie, reminded Chief Isaack that he was inheriting a fragile community, where small misunderstandings fuelled by politics were the cause of the long and bitter division among the clan. Hence the Nama Traditionals Chiefs Association started by reconciling the Hai-Khaua leaders so that this could trickle down to the community. He said the Nama Traditional Chiefs Association acknowledges Hai-Khaua Traditional Authority but pointed out that the National Constitution makes provision for choice of association – referring to the splinter group of Karools.

Damara Chief Justus Garoëb, represented by Abuis Auxab, called on the newly crowned chiefs to assist the community where they can and to deliver services.

Chief Johannes Kooper of Hochanas conducted the coronation ceremony.

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