Arwita Kayoka has been coronated as the new Hompa of the Gciriku Traditional Authority.
The coronation ceremony took place at the Gciriku Tribal Office at the Ndiyona settlement in Kavango East over the weekend.
The Gciriku Traditional Authority has been without a traditional leader for seven years because of infighting within the royal family.
Just a month ago, Minister of Urban and Rural Development James Sankwasa announced 82-year-old Kayoka as the Hompa of the Gciriku Traditional Authority, eventually putting an end to the dispute.
The Minister is now calling for the VaGciriku community to unite, despite the turbulent past.
"If the Gciriku community has to stand, it needs to be united; let bygones be bygones, but embrace reconciliation. What has happened? Forget about it; we are starting a new page today. Those who opposed you, make them your friend."
Former Deputy Prime Minister John Mutorwa gave an extensive speech about the rich history of the VaGciriku people.
Prime Minister Elijah Ngurare also called for the revival of cultural practices within the VaGciriku community.
"Let us revive cultural practices where elders teach young girls how to be responsible as future mothers; let's revive practices that form the basis of the Gciriku people's socio-economic practices. Traditional authorities should encourage young people through competitions to write. Our roots lie in our cultures, our strengths lie in our traditions, and our dignity lies in our norms and values, which have held us together since time immemorial. A nation without culture is directionless."
Hompa Kayoka received the instruments of authority, which are the Namibian Constitution, the Traditional Authority Act, and the Communal Land Reform Act.
Hompa Kayoka spoke about forgiveness. "I don't have much to say, but as Minister Sankwasa said, people must forgive each other and move on. People do fight, but at the end of the day, we must forgive each other and move on. From now on, we must unite, work together and make up for the last seven years. Mpandu."
Kayoka is now the 12th Hompa of the Gciriku Traditional Authority.