Vice President Lucia Witbooi has urged traditional authorities to continue showcasing their customs, practices, and values in a way that unites society. 

The Vice President also called on young people to attend and embrace cultural festivals.

Witbooi made the call during the 14th edition of the |Hai-|Khaua annual festival held at Berseba village in the ||Kharas Region. 

The celebrations kicked off with a horse parade, followed by the unveiling of a cornerstone engraved with the names of tribal leaders who led the clan dating back to 1850. 

The annual festival serves as a platform to preserve traditions, strengthen community bonds and promote cultural awareness. 

"Let cultural festivals be a vehicle which inculcates in all of us, and especially in our young people, a culture of discipline, unity, respect for elders and for one another, to build and strengthen our communities."

She further called on tribal leaders to find solutions to challenges faced by traditional authorities, especially issues related to chieftainship succession disputes. 

The highlight of this year's festival was the final address by incumbent Gaob of the |Hai-|Khaua clan, Johannes Isaack, who is set to retire at the end of the year.

The Vice President expressed gratitude for Isaack's dedicated years of service to his community and the nation at large. 

"My humble plea, as I am part of this festival, to my Gaob Isaack is to leave a legacy of a successful succession."

The Chairperson of the Council of Traditional Leaders Association, Gaob Immanuel |Gaseb, cautioned that traditional authorities caught up in such disputes would be excluded from the upcoming Council of Traditional Leaders Association meeting until their disagreements are settled.

In a speech delivered on his behalf, Gaob Isaack urged clan members to start preparations for selecting his successor in terms of the customary clan, noting this could be his last message. 

Equally, he called on fellow traditional leaders to be united. 

"Let's put our people's needs above personal ambitions. Let us unite in peace, settle our differences with wisdom and grace and work for the prosperity of our people."

Governor Aletha Frederick highlighted that traditional authority structures play a crucial role in fostering harmony, unity and progress in society.

"But I must underscore and enlighten us, all of us, to recognise that these esteemed structures are confronted with unprecedented challenges, stemming from power struggles and disputes over chieftainship."

Governor Frederick noted that open and comprehensive discussions are needed to resolve these chieftaincy impasses.