On Tuesday 30 May the first-ever meeting of the Khwe Traditional Authority was held in Mutc’iku village, West Caprivi in the Okavango Region under the leadership of the new Chief, Ben Ngobara. Over 80 people from all 10 Khwe villages participated. The main business was to appoint 12 traditional councillors, who then signed the documents for their application to the government for recognition under the Traditional Authorities Act. The bid for recognition follows the historic democratic election on 8 May of Ben Ngobara, aged 42, as the new Khwe Chief. Ngobara succeeded the late Kippi George, who died in December 2000. Kippi George had applied for recognition, but the Government was not then willing to grant it. Some 4,000 Khwedam-speaking people live in the ten villages of west Caprivi, within Bwabwata National Park (between Divundu and Kongola). They form a large majority of the population, although they live in collaboration with !Kung and Hambukushu people in the area. WIMSA supports the people through a range of projects to develop education, language, skills and livelihoods, and to secure legal and human rights.

The new Traditional Authority comprises 12 councillors, including the headmen of all the larger villges.

From left are Sonner Geria, Elias Mayundu, Chief Ngobara and Joseph Kapinga. Photo: WIMSA