By Elina-Ombili Shishaki /
The Ombadja Traditional Authority (OTA) will be known as one that champions the cause for access to information.
This was said by the Chairperson of Ombadja Traditional Authority, Mr Kaleb Hamwele.
Hamwele was commenting on the yet to become operational Access to Information Act.
The Access to Information (ATI) Act, Act 8 of 2022, is aimed at advocating for transparency in Namibian society, and to ensure that decision-makers are answerable to the public in all efforts to promote good governance.
The ATI, once operational, will give the right to individuals to access information which is held by both private and public institutions.
Such public institutions include the Ombadja Traditional Authority (OTA).
When Omutumwa visited the OTA office at Onandjaba settlement, in Okalongo Constituency of Omusati Region, this reporter was welcomed by a group of traditional leaders from various districts and villages who came to attend the Chief Councillor’s Meeting.
The meeting was organised to coincide with the meeting with Omutumwa, and so traditional officials were eager to get a glimpse of what the Access to Information Act has to offer.
Situated in the far northern part of Namibia, next to the border with Angola, Okalongo is home to the Aambadja, a sub-tribe of Aawambo people.
Historically, Okalongo area was a traditional district belonging to Oukwanyama Traditional Authority.
As the area was inhabited by people who spoke the Oshimbadja dialect and who followed traditional customs and practices of Aambadja people, who predominantly live in southern Angola, Okalongo was in 2004 proclaimed as an independent traditional authority belonging to the Ombadja, and established in accordance with the Traditional Authorities Act.
Senior Chief Mathias Walaula has served as the leader of Okalongo district since 1988, and was in 2004 sworn-in as the Chief and head of Ombadja Traditional Authority.
OTA has four districts, namely, Onandjaba, Omutundungu, Onembaba and Ondudu, each with around 35 villages.
In the interview with Omutumwa the Chairperson of OTA, Mr Kaleb Hamwele, said that the access to information law is a stepping stone in the right direction for them as it helps in organising information, as well as helping them to make good decisions.
“I am not aware of this law but as far as granting information is concerned there has been openness in our offices, which allows the public to easily access any information,” Hamwele said.
“As Chairman I work closely with the Vice Chairperson to ensure that we deliver the best services required of the authority.”
Hamwele pointed out that his responsibilities are to monitor overall operations across the areas under OTA’s jurisdiction, promoting the traditional authority’s laws and regulations, organising information and ensuring that traditional laws are adhered to, be it in problem-solving or decision-making, land disputes and community court hearings.
When asked how this access to information law will likely change operations or affect established practices of Ombadja Traditional Authority, Hamwele said that when there is limited knowledge, information is most often misrepresented, but now that this law has been introduced it will bring positive changes in the society.
“This law will add value to our traditional laws, and add more transparency to our operations,” he said.
“It is important for institutions like ours to provide accurate information to the public. When speaking about accuracy of information we refer to integrity and good information management.
“There are no secrets to hide, we are like an open book when it comes to information sharing.
“We are ready to share any kind of information.
“However, we will not grant the request to access information pertaining to pending community court proceedings or classified information which are deemed confidential.”
Additionally, he stressed that working in secrecy can negatively affect the operations in any institution, hence, transparency remains the vital key to good governance.
“Most of our regulations do not allow us to hide information from the public. To be a good leader it is best to always take up responsibilities to ensure information is easily accessible by the public. Thus our traditional court proceedings abide by laws which are enforced by the Ministry of Justice.”
Senior Traditional Councillor for Ondudu District, Mr Nathanael Ndikwetepo, added that he is aware of the ATI Act.
“I heard of it at the time it was tabled in the Parliament but since then I lost track of how it all went on, so it is nothing new to me,” he said.
Ndikwetepo echoed the sentiments of Hamwele, highlighting that the main reason why in most cases information related to community court proceedings are withheld by the traditional authority is that such information concerns people who have rights to appeal and challenge the decisions made.
“If a person is proven guilty by the traditional court, then they can be penalised depending on the nature of the case,” Ndikwetepo stated.
“But such person has legal rights to appeal for another hearing, fill in the forms and submit his or her appeal to the Magistrate’s court. Therefore, it is advisable not to give out such information to third parties when the case is sub judice.”
“Once such a case is closed the authorities can then be able to publicise such information. It will not be right to divulge information when the case is still under judicial consideration,” he emphasised.
When asked if OTA will be at liberty to share information with someone from outside their territory, Ndikwetepo said that their office is open to anyone for as long as the requester of information follows all the necessary procedures required to obtain such information.
“I would also rather urge other traditional authorities to feel free to approach Ombadja Traditional Authority in any regard, more so in how to champion this access to information concept. Traditional authorities must always collaborate in order to tackle any challenge and find a better solution which can promote good governance.
“Since we have a lot in common, we must work closely with one another as we are all unified by the Eight (8) Traditional Authority Forum.”
In the photos: Ombadja Traditional Leaders assembled for the Chief Council’s Meeting at OTA Office in Onandjaba, Okalongo.
In another photo, on the left is OTA Chairperson Mr. Kaleb Hamwele; in the centre is Vice Chairperson, Senior Headman and Chairperson of Onembaba District, Mr. Olavi Ipeinge; on the right is Senior Traditional Councillor of Ondudu District, Mr. Nathanael Ndikwetepo, who reflected on ATI in an exclusive interview with Omutumwa Newspaper.
[NB. This article was produced with the financial support of the Namibia Media Trust, through the New Voices, New Narratives in Public Policy Discourse project. Its contents are the sole responsibility of Omutumwa and do not necessarily reflect the views of the NMT nor any of its partners.]
