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Thursday, 25 June 2026
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Thursday, 25 June 2026
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Namibian press · Organization

Ovaherero Traditional Authority

Ovaherero Traditional Authority — customary leadership organization for the Ovaherero people, currently disputed between competing paramount chief claimants with court case ongoing since 2022.

2022-10-292026-06-25
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What’s been said

Key points drawn from coverage. Tap a point to see the original sentence.

  1. May 2026

  2. New Era

    Ovaherero Traditional Authority currently has two paramount chiefs, Katjiua and Riruako

    Source

    “Whichever way it is looked at, the OTA has two paramount chiefs, Katjiua and Riruako, at least for now.”

    Struggle for Ovaherero throne continues

  3. Windhoek Observer

    Ovaherero Traditional Authority has been subject to dispute over paramount chieftaincy with legal costs reaching approximately N$10 million

    Source

    “The legal cost linked to the dispute over the Ovaherero Traditional Authority (OTA) paramount chieftaincy has reached an estimated N$10 million.”

    Ovaherero chieftaincy battle costs reach N$10m
  4. March 2026

  5. New Era

    Ovaherero Traditional Authority faction met President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah at State House

    Source

    “The Ovaherero Traditional Authority faction led by academic Hoze Riruako yesterday met President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah at State House.”

    Ovaherero double down on ancestral land, genocide
  6. October 2025

  7. The Namibian

    Ovaherero Traditional Authority is seeking to have Germany formally included as a respondent in Namibian-German reparations matter

    Source

    “At the centre of the case is Ovaherero Traditional Authority ombara, professor Mutjinde Katjiua, Landless People's Movement leader Bernadus Swartbooi and others. They are seeking to have Germany formally included as a respondent in the Namibian-German reparations matter.”

    Justice and the Law Collidein Genocide Case
  8. January 2025

  9. The Namibian

    Ovaherero Traditional Authority continues to oppose the way German and Namibian governments handle negotiations

    Source

    “The association, along with the Ovaherero Traditional Authority, continues to oppose the way the German and Namibian governments are handling negotiations.”

    Nama Traditional Association rejects agreement on 1904-1908 genocide reparations
  10. November 2022

  11. The Namibian

    Ovaherero Traditional Authority intervened to claim negotiations violated 2006 National Assembly resolution

    Source

    “Keul's announcement triggered a combined intervention by Landless People's Movement president Bernadus Swartbooi, the Ovaherero Traditional Authority, and the Nama Traditional Leaders Association on 13 September.”

    Namibian-German Genocide Negotiations – Is the Master's Voice Speaking?
Politics

Minister warns of attempts to undermine traditional authorities

The News

Minister of Urban and Rural Development James Sankwasa has raised alarm over what he described as "underground capture" of Namibia's traditional authorities, warning that certain individuals are attempting to destabilise customary leadership structures. He stressed that recognition of traditional leaders will follow customary laws and cultural practices, and cautioned against what he termed the "over-democratisation" of traditional authorities.

17 June 2026 · Windhoek Observer →

Wednesday 17 June

  1. Minister warns of attempts to undermine traditional authorities

    Minister of Urban and Rural Development James Sankwasa has raised alarm over what he described as "underground capture" of Namibia's traditional authorities, warning that certain individuals are attempting to destabilise customary leadership structures. He stressed that recognition of traditional leaders will follow customary laws and cultural practices, and cautioned against what he termed the "over-democratisation" of traditional authorities.

    17 June 2026 · Windhoek Observer →

Thursday 4 June

  1. Namibia marks second Genocide Remembrance Day with calls for justice

    Namibia observed its second Genocide Remembrance Day to reflect on the 1904–1908 genocide against the Ovaherero, Nama, Damara, and ≠Nkhoen San peoples. The commemoration emphasises the need for truth-telling, restorative justice, and Germany's full acknowledgment of responsibility for the genocide.

    4 June 2026 · The Namibian →

Monday 18 May

  1. Ovaherero paramount chief dispute remains unresolved in court

    Four years after being brought to the High Court in 2022, the battle over the Paramount Chief position of the Ovaherero remains unsettled. Ovitoto chief Vipuira Kapuuo, chairman of the Ovaherero Traditional Authority's Chiefs' Council, contends that customary law dictates the council chairman becomes acting paramount chief upon the death of the incumbent; he is seeking a court order to declare himself acting paramount chief and to nullify a December 2021 meeting where academic Mutjinde Katjiua was elected paramount chief.

    18 May 2026 · New Era →

Friday 8 May

  1. Ovaherero chieftaincy dispute legal costs reach N$10 million

    Legal costs in the dispute over the Ovaherero Traditional Authority paramount chieftaincy have reached an estimated N$10 million. Chief Vipuira Kapuuo continues his court challenge against professor Mutjinde Katjiua's claim to the position, arguing that as chairperson of the Chief's Council he is the rightful acting paramount chief and that a council meeting held in December 2021 that endorsed Katjiua was unlawful.

    8 May 2026 · Windhoek Observer →

Tuesday 17 March

  1. Windhoek encourages cremation as five cemeteries reach capacity

    The City of Windhoek, which records approximately 960 burials annually, says five of its seven cemeteries are at full capacity and is urging residents to consider cremation as an alternative. The municipality is exploring measures including second interments and developing a new cemetery at Rocky Crest, though some residents and cultural groups have raised concerns about land allocation and religious objections to cremation.

    17 March 2026 · The Namibian →

Tuesday 10 March

  1. Presidency denies Riruako State House visit recognition as paramount chief

    The Presidency clarified that Hoze Riruako's meeting with President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah should not be interpreted as recognition of him as paramount chief of the OvaHerero Traditional Authority, saying the matter remains before the courts and the executive cannot decide issues under judicial adjudication. The traditional authority has been disputed between Riruako's and Mutjinde Katjiua's factions.

    10 March 2026 · The Namibian →

Saturday 7 March

  1. President discusses land, genocide reparations with Ovaherero chief

    President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah met with Hoze Riruako of the Ovaherero Traditional Authority to discuss land, genocide reparations, and community concerns. Riruako described the engagement as constructive and emphasized the importance of continued dialogue on historical issues.

    7 March 2026 · Informanté →

Friday 6 March

  1. Ovaherero leadership presses government on land, genocide reparations

    The Ovaherero Traditional Authority faction led by Hoze Riruako met President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah to advocate for quota-based land allocation for historically dispossessed communities, restitution of ancestral land rights, and renewed negotiations with Germany over 1904–1908 genocide reparations. Riruako said the Ovaherero community wants these issues addressed through Namibia's own development policies rather than relying solely on German compensation, and urged the government to formally recognize early liberation fighters and traditional leaders.

    6 March 2026 · New Era →

  2. Riruako urges government to allocate land to Ovaherero now

    Ovaherero Traditional Authority chief Hoze Riruako has called on the government to allocate unoccupied land to the Herero population rather than wait for genocide reparation negotiations to conclude, clarifying that the initiative does not aim to reclaim legally acquired private land.

    6 March 2026 · The Namibian →

Wednesday 21 January

  1. Traditional leaders serve rural areas from Windhoek despite legal residency rules

    Several Namibian traditional leaders, including chiefs and headmen, are governing their rural communities while residing in Windhoek, contrary to the Traditional Authorities Act No. 25 of 2000, which requires them to live within their communal areas. They justify this practice by citing the effectiveness of deputies and local committees, though legal scholars note such violations may warrant removal from office.

    21 January 2026 · The Namibian →

Ovaherero Traditional Authority — Namibian press coverage · Namibia Minute