Ondonga postpones community events due to elections

The Ondonga Traditional Authority has indefinitely postponed its community meeting that was scheduled to take place this past Saturday to allow communities to engage in political activities ahead of next month’s general elections.

Another event, known as the Epito lye tanda (boys’ initiation) keKango lyOmongwa, which was scheduled for September, has also been postponed to next year due to the ongoing political campaigns.

This announcement was made by the chairperson of the traditional authority, John Walenga, at a media briefing last week.

Walenga said the decision to postpone the community meeting was taken at a leadership sitting on 3 October.

“The Ondonga Traditional Authority decided that the community meeting, which was initially called to take place on 12 October, should be postponed to a later date that will be communicated,” Walenga said.

“This is to allow the community to engage in their political activities, leading up to the national and presidential elections later in November. However, as is custom, any member of the community that has grievances should approach the Ondonga Traditional Authority office and follow the established structures."

Walenga explained that due to election season, a decision was also taken to "move the annual Epito lye tanda keKango lyOmongwa to only take place next year.”

The Epito lye tanda, which is the boys’ initiation that takes place at the Etosha Salt Pan, is an ancient tradition meant to, as they explained, instill positive masculinity among Ondonga men.

Preventing boys from "becoming gay" and preparing them for future leadership positions were among the other reasons cited by the traditional authority for their decision to revive the tradition.

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