Staff Reporter
THE Governor of the //Kharas Region, Dawid Gertze, has called for unity among traditional communities in the south, urging them to resolve disputes internally rather than resorting to litigation.
“We must confront a painful truth: our communities are fracturing. The very fabric of our heritage is being torn apart by leadership disputes and chieftaincy rivalries that have sown division within families and weakened the bonds that once held us together,” the governor said.
Gertze made these remarks during his State of the Region Address in Keetmanshoop, where he stressed that he has been given a mandate to foster unity among traditional communities in the region. According to him, he has already engaged with communities across the //Kharas Region, but there are still some where disputes persist.
“Even more distressing, scarce resources meant for development and empowerment are being drained by prolonged court battles. Resources that should be building schools, clinics and livelihoods are instead funding conflict. My advice is that courts must be our last resort. Traditional disputes must be resolved within our communities through dialogue, wisdom and reconciliation, not through endless litigation. The government cannot and should not be the arbiter of our traditions,” Gertze added.
He further appealed to traditional communities to resolve their differences internally and reiterated his commitment to working closely with all traditional communities.
“While the world advances, we risk being left behind, our energy consumed by internal strife instead of progress. These divisions yield nothing for our people; they rob us of opportunity, dignity and growth. As your governor, I reaffirm my unwavering commitment to working hand in hand with every traditional leader and community. I call upon all to pursue peace with courage and conviction. Let us resolve our differences internally, restore unity and move forward together as one region, one people, one destiny. I will not rest until every traditional leader and community in //Kharas can sit together in true peace and mutual respect. Let us choose progress over division, unity over discord and hope over hostility — for our people deserve nothing less,” Gertze continued.
Photo: File
