After months of sourcing funds from community members and business people to construct a traditional court, the Eudaneko traditional district in Ohangwena Region now has its community court infrastructure.
The inauguration of the Eudaneko traditional court situated in Etomba No.1 in Ohangwena Region took place on Saturday.
The hall, which cost about N$600 000, will also be used for other activities such as pension payouts and community meetings.
The ceremony was attended by Oukwanyama Queen Mwadinomho Martha Nelumbu, former president Hifikepunye Pohamba, police Inspector-General Sebastian Ndeitunga, Minister of Safety and Security Charles Namoloh, Minister of Environment and Tourism Pohamba Shifeta and several traditional leaders.
The chairman of the Oukwanyama Traditional Authority, George Nelulu, who spearheaded the project, said it was not easy at the beginning when he approached members of the community to contribute money or volunteer their services, as some people thought he was collecting money to enrich himself.
Nelulu said the criticism did not deter him from continuing working with the few people who believed in him and his dream, adding that if he had listened to them, the infrastructure would not be in existence.
Sharing the history of the traditional court, Nelulu said the court has been in existence since 1942, with meetings conducted in the shade of the trees where the building is today.
He thanked the members of the community who contributed money, building equipment and manpower to make sure the project is completed.
“I want to thank all those stakeholders who contributed towards making this traditional court building a reality and remember this is not Nelulu’s building but it is for the entire community,” he said.
Nelulu said in order to raise money for maintenance, the hall can be rented for weddings, conferences and other events.
Pohamba praised Nelulu and his team and called on other traditional leaders to imitate what was done by the community of Etomba, saying that times have changed and people should invest in infrastructure.
“I urge those traditional leaders with no offices to construct offices for their people,” he said.
Pohamba was not happy with the term “court”, saying it would be more appropriate to call the building an office, given the different purposes it will be used for.
Several people in attendance pledged money, equipment and services towards making sure the building is maintained.
KENYA KAMBOWE
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