Namibia: Chief Strives for Rural Development
Chrispin Inambao
10 August 2010
Windhoek — Chief Joseph Tembwe Mayuni of the Mashi Traditional Authority, whose chieftainship is among numerous that have official recognition, has applauded the Government for implementing many capital projects in the Caprivi Region.
Chief Mayuni's message was conveyed on Sunday at Choi at the colourful Tulikonge Annual Cultural Festival thronged by multitudes at the Mashi Traditional Authority.
He cited the power line that will electrify many rural homes at Kongola and Makanga, as "a symbol of development", saying by harnessing electricity, everything is possible.
The chief, a champion of conservancies and tourism, made an impassioned appeal to Government to consider extending "this power line to other districts that have government institutions such as schools and clinics e.g. Mayuni Senior Secondary and Choi Primary schools, Choi Clinic and the Mashi Traditional Authority office at Choi."
He also stated in his annual address that the new power line could be extended to Sibbinda Health Centre, Sikosinyana Senior Secondary School, Sibbinda Primary School and Sibbinda Circuit Office and should extend from Sesheke to Kamenga.
In reference to the recent commissioning of the N$3-million ferry procured for the flood-belt by the Ministry of Works and Transport, he said, "We acknowledge the provision of the water transport, which was named after Richard Kapelwa Kabajani, that is to transport people from Katima Mulilo to Impalila, on the Zambezi River, and back."
"We thank the Government for naming it after our hero, Richard Kapelwa Kabajani.
This is a symbol of unity in the region and the entire Namibia," said Mayuni.
While thanking Government for having bought him an all-terrain vehicle and providing him with a driver, he appealed to Government "to upgrade the Sachona road for the safety of our people".
He felt this particular road needs an upgrade because it is too bumpy "and very dangerous during the rainy season".
Mayuni says residents of Singalamwe, Lizauli and Masida in Kongola Constituency are totally cut-off from the Namibian health system and, because of lack of roads in some of these rural areas, patients have to be transported to clinics in ox-drawn wooden sleighs.
This type of transport is unacceptable in an independent Namibia, said Mayuni, who also appealed to the Ministry of Health and Social Services to expedite the upgrading to a health centre of the clinic at Choi, as it caters for Lizauli and Ngonga.
He said Sibbinda is a health centre with no ambulance and in this vein, he appealed to the Ministry of Health and Social Services to purchase an ambulance for Sibbinda and for Choi Clinic.
Another request was for the Kongola-Katima Mulilo Water Pipeline to be upgraded with a water purification plant, because beneficiary villagers currently drink water pumped directly from the river resulting in a high number of cases of diarrhoea.
Mayuni appealed to his subjects and to all other tribes in Caprivi to desist from tribalism, a tendency he says is retrogressive and stunts meaningful development.
