Staff Reporter
CHIEF Herman Iipumbu of the Uukwambi Traditional Authority has approved a planned gathering of members of the tribe’s Royal Clan scheduled for tomorrow, 15 August, on condition that it does not turn into a commemoration of the ousting of King Iipumbu ya Tshilongo 94 years ago.
In a letter to Anna Niita Gwashikodhola, Chairperson of the Uukwambi Royal Clan, Chief Iipumbu thanked her for the invitation but said he would not be able to attend due to other government-related duties.
He wished the Royal Clan a fruitful gathering but cautioned against using the event to commemorate King ya Tshilongo’s violent ouster by British government troops on 15 August 1932. Such a commemoration was prohibited by a High Court order in 2024.
Chief Iipumbu, who is King ya Tshilongo’s grandson on his father’s side, is facing growing calls to relinquish power to allow for the restoration of the tribe’s Royal Clan.
Like other Aawambo tribes, the Uukwambi Royal Clan follows a matrilineal system of succession.
According to the Royal Clan, the throne of King ya Tshilongo has remained vacant since 1932.
Chief Iipumbu has been, since 1991, the duly entrusted and officially recognised head of the Uukwambi Traditional Authority under the laws governing traditional authorities.
Last year, Urban and Rural Development Minister James Sankwasa declined a request from concerned members of the Uukwambi community who demanded the revocation of the designation of Iipumbu as Chief of the Uukwambi Traditional Authority.
Sankwasa said that, by law, he has no power to do that.
Photo: File
