Dispute Around Gertze’s Coronation

Luqman Cloete

16 June 2011

The Haboben tribe royal house has distanced itself from the coronation of Dawid Casius Gertze as designated Chief of Blouwes Traditional Authority (BTA) this coming Saturday.

Gertze was elected in an election shrouded in controversy in August last year, and approved by Local Government Minister, Jerry Ekandjo, as designated Chief of the BTA in October the same year.

However, Ekandjo in letter dated January halted Gertze’s coronation then set for February 5, stating the coronation “should not take place” until the Blouwes community solves the leadership dispute among themselves amicably.

In a statement issued yesterday, the Haboben royal house spokesman, Fritz Daniel Hendricks, said group of Haboben descendants he referred to as “splinter faction” are pushing ahead with Gertze’s coronation despite objections by the royal family.

He said the Haboben royal house would pursue legal action if the splinter faction continue to use the tribe’s name in announcing the coronation or during the crowning ceremony.

Hendricks noted an interim committee constituted from the Kharo!Oan and //Haboben community members was in the process to work out modalities in electing a new tribe leader.

Gertze yesterday said the Haboben royal house is not in a position to decide for the community because they are not the “sole owners of the clan”.

“Common understanding of the community led to my election as designated tribal chief from a process two years back which had included the royal house family members,” Gertze said.

Commenting on Ekandjo’s directive to halt the coronation until the leadership dispute was solved, Gertze said: “After receipt of the letter, we sought audience with the Minister (Ekandjo) without success. He showed disrespect to the community because he had not responded in a single line to the letters the community wrote to seek audience with him. We conclude this as a withdrawal from the process on the part of the Minister”.

He said that he will not beg for Government recognition.

“Recognition of traditional leaders and councillors is just a luxury for them at the expense of much-needed development for the betterment of the communities,” said Gertze, referring to monthly allowances Government recognised leaders are being paid.

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