Mbanderu Youth Association of Botswana (MYAB)'s Position on the Ovambanderu Leadership Dispute

The Mbanderu Youth Association of Botswana through its National Executive Committee adopted a "Non – alliance" stance on the Mbanderu dispute which started as a disagreement on the provisions of a constitution purported to be adopted by a section of the oVambanderu in Namibia on behalf of the entire tribe. The conflict has now grown and mutated to a succession dispute. One group is rally behind Keharanjo Nguvauva while the other group is behind Kilus Karaerua Nguvauva. This has been a long and protracted dispute, now at its manifest stage where everyone, passively or actively involved feels the heat. The purpose of this article therefore, is to explain how and why the Mbanderu Youth Association of Botswana adopted a "Non-alliance" position.
This position was first discussed at the association's national conference held on the 26th May 2007 in Sehitwa, and later endorsed by a national consultative workshop(Leadership forum) held on the 27th September 2008, in Francistown. On the 1st November 2008 the Myab National Executive Committee adopted it as an official position of the association, on the matter.
I presume is now the duty of all the structures of the association including individual members to ensure total commitment to the position to show unity of action and purpose. We should be vehemently defend and explain it, to all who seek clarification and justification, without fear or flattery. During the discussions the following reasons and factors were noted and considered;
1. Lack of facts and direct involvement in the whole crisis:-It is true that people in conflict tend to put their side of the matter in a better light, and this employs the use of extreme rhetoric by the parties involved. Since we are not directly involved in the strategic planning sessions including meetings, our judgment and choice will short of true/real facts and become skewed(it will be from a less informed position), hence better to remain non-aliened.
2. Legal requirements:-We are not Namibians. The parties involved sort the assistance of the Namibians courts of law and legal systems to determine the matter. In terms of the law, we are technically excluded from the whole issue. Even the said constitution has little or no direct effect on us. Involvement in the matter at that level will compromise our legal status and put us in an awkward position. Our allegiance and support will also compromise the legitimacy of the issue(s) and weaken the position of the group we are to support in the eyes of the Namibian government and the law.
3. Mediation:-Conflict is a universal phenomenon wherever people, with their diverse unique natures, work for the same institution. It is present in a wide range of social relationships and can occur in a particular individuals, between different individuals and between groups. Positive or negative consequences, depends largely on the approach followed and the nature of the solution. Our believe is that, the solution to this conflict is through negotiation, and we have already availed our selves for that purpose. On that basis is neither logical nor strategic for us to endorse and support any of the conflicting parties.
How to behave (members)?
First and foremost we should accept that there is a conflict in our tribe, which resulted in the emergence of two antagonistic groups. Secondly we should view this conflict as an opportunity to improve and develop our conflict management capacity as a tribe. Our actions and general behavior therefore, should reflect the principle of 'non-alliance'. We should not seem to be;
1. hostile to any of the groups
2. working in cahoots with any of the groups
3. engaged in hate-talk or speech for/against any of the groups
In conclusion we should understand that the Mbanderu Youth Association of Botswana can't force peace upon the parties, but at least we can create a space and an atmosphere, in which talks can start. It is our obligation as an association to ensure that there is peace, harmony and cohesion in our people. It is my honest believe that you will heed the call and support the course.
Thank you,
Tjiramanga Kavei
Secretary General-MYAB
23/06/2010

From the MYAB Website:
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Fwd: Scars of Oppression

From: Prince Kamaazengi Marenga I

Scars Of Oppression barb-wire my people's personalities and imprison their egos in walls of shame or some "Wapula" of hopelessness. Grown Up Pain drives my people into conniptions of anger, some commit suicide, taking selves to early graves, many screw themselves up publicly, drinkin to death, eating to death (licking fingers greazy with death ingredients), smoking lungs out.... We, at Kalakuta calls for re-value "action", go back into our bloodstream and visit places our forebears travelled. Healing is a journey into our molecular structure, we need to take "dirt" off our DNA.....define things our way, name or rename this and that, use our brains (not the softwares installed through the school shit-stem, minds rotting from being exposed to too much europa, china or amerika), use our brains, polish that which is ours to educate our ex-enslaved selves back into Life! Life as instructed by socialism not the kind of life that capitalises on the weak to inveigle itsself into empty greatness!! From Kalakuta Republik with love, i remain Prince Kamaazengi Marenga I

OPEN LETTER TO ALL MBANDERUS: DIALOGUE AND ENGAGEMENT KEY TO END THE MBANDERU IMPASSE: Carter Kainangura Hikuama

OPEN LETTER TO ALL MBANDERUS: Kainangura Carter Hikuama

As a mbanderu tribesmen and an activist, I feel compelled to suggest to all the conflicting parties in the mbanderu dispute (over the constitution & chieftainship), to bury the hatchet and consider dialogue as a way to resolve the stand off.
The oVambanderu as a group faces some serious problems going forward, and it is difficult to see how these could be overcome without thorough, open minded debate. It is crystal clear to every one, mbanderu or non- mbanderu, that there is a conflict within our once respected tribe, which has a potential to destroy the whole mbanderu community and renders it dysfunctional. If we want to emerge stronger and victorious out of this conflict we must face it without fear or favor and deal with it effectively. It is true that teams or groups becomes dysfunctional when they are unable to productively deal with conflict and we are on the verge of collapsing and becomes dysfunctional as a tribe because of this conflict. We must accept that all meaningful relationships require productive conflict for them to grow, the conflict in our tribe provide exactly that. This is the time and moment to prove our worth and strength. I would like to assume that, ours is a healthy conflict if not, then there was no point to conflict each other for such a long time. We must collectively find out and identify the issue(s) at hand, talk about it or them, look for the best solution, avoid personal attacks and point scoring. This is the task we must fulfill without failure. We must find a best solution to our problems through dialogue and engagement, not necessarily replacing the conflict with an artificial harmony. A writer Patric Lincioni in his book "The Five Dysfunctions Of A Team" observed that harmony on itself is good, if it comes as a result of working through issues constantly and cycling through conflict. But if it comes only as a result of people holding back their opinions and honest concerns, then it is a bad thing. We must not rush and pray for harmony, we must work to achieve it by resolving the conflict.
Courteous, tolerant and honest debate should be launched and opened between the conflicting parties then the entire community. Negotiation should be held under a courteous atmosphere and mutual respect, as courtesy is one of the basic principles of a healthy and productive debate. It is difficult to see how the current intolerance, discourtesy, smear and name calling can be said to be amenable to a free and honest dialogue, which we are direly in need of. The smear, labeling and name calling that we are wailing through only repels a majority of our people, particularly the youth. Real issues under the current situations are stigmatized and trivialized, as a result inhibiting genuine and meaningful dialogue or debate. Conflicting parties and people with differing opinions are also stigmatized, resulting in anger, hatred and tension among our people. Stigmatization of an opposing side is a dangerous tactic in any meaningful engagement. This has bred in a culture of intolerance, which will kill constructive debate much needed for development and progress in our community, and finally destroying our tribe. This has been a protracted and bruise debacle ever in my life time within our tribe, and is high time we put our brains together to find an everlasting workable solution. No one can make us, only ourselves. It is only the mbanderus and only mbanderus who can put an end to this. No government, no minister(s) no court of laws can resolve and come up with a solution to our problems but only us. When entering into negotiations parties must be prepared to make serious concessions and compromises. All mbanderu leaders at different levels and various capacities should understand that leadership means loyalty to the led, service to the people and intelligence and courage in the face of crisis. Courtesy to Palesa Morudu of COPE. I expect exactly that from them.
Despite all that divide us – Namibia and Botswana, concerned and non – concerned, old and young, educated and non – educated, rich and poor, we are at heart one tribe and one people. That we should strive to protect from self annihilation and despair, and truly we can realize our oneness through dialogue and engagement.
D.S. Halacy JR in his book on the philosophy of life observed that" from the balanced structure of the atom, through the specialization of cells in the increasingly complicated animal kingdom, to the intricate intertwining of the great civilizations of man, life is a cooperative enterprise. Non cooperation spells suffering, failure and death. --- we cannot survive not alone remain human without developing a kind, tolerant and protective world society".
This is a direct challenge to us in the current situation. We must put aside our differences for the sake of remaining the mbanderus. We must also not perceive dialogue as a fight of egos and fear it, we must see it as an honest and genuine engagement in search for the best solution to our problems. There is no loser in a genuine dialogue, it is a win - win situation. The mbanderu youth both in Botswana and Namibia must champion the course towards reconciliation and harmony and shun divisive tactics. We cannot win as factions, but as a united tribe. Anger, hatred and enmity are a recipe for disaster.
I strongly feel and believe that the best option towards unity, peace, harmony and stability within our tribe is dialogue – nothing more nothing less. So let us give it a try! For those involved (directly or indirectly) should ask themselves the following questions:
Why are we doing this?
What problem are we solving?
Is this actually useful?
Is it really worth it?
Are we adding any value?
Remember; it is one of the best practical tact, to set aside time to reflect (take introspection)!
Ndjambi noo tate ko majuru ngave tupe o unongo no masa o ku mangurura ouzeu mbu tunao! Senseni na?(What have we done to deserve this?)/ tua ungura tjike?
Carter Kainangura Hikuama is the former Secretary General of the Mbanderu Youth Association Of Botswana (MYAB)-Writes in his personal capacity

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Wait; Patience Pays

If you have to wait for it...
Wait for it
There might be irritation in waiting
There is pleasure in the fact that you waited

You are victor because you waited
For waiting without messing up cheates relief
Relief from blame
Relief from guilt
For impatience leads to mistakes
Regretable mistakes

My flesh let me be
For I am not ready for guilt
It may be too much to bear
I am not ready for "prison"
For guilt and shame are like prison
Prison of conscience

Ongondononeno jo Maando: Ombutiro no Ngaendisiro Jao Ngaikunue Marenga

Ejanda otjikuaije?
Jauta pi?
Je ungura vi nu pi?
Ongura otjikuaije

Symbol of Hope: Never Let Yourself Fall

Almost everyone (if not everyone), is a role model to someone (even if its for the wrong reasons or as a bad example).  Even if no one seems to notice you as important, there are many who do not even tell you that you are special to them! Some even tell you years after you started touching them in a special way... after having helped them shape who they are.

When you you "let" yourself fall you kill those who depend on your success to thrive.

To someone who looks up to you...it might not be a good thing for their hero/heroine to "fall" and remain down. When you fall and remain hopeless and helpless, remember that those who look up to you might not survive their challenges because you would have given them the impression that you were a fake hero.

So, next time when you feel like giving up, remember that your fall will affect others, especially those who look up to you as their symbol of hope. I do not care of how many times you had to fall, I need you to count how many times you had and have to stand up after a fall...for thats what matters to me.

Do not hurt me with your fall, for you are my symbol of hope.

Disturbed Sleep!

When I close my eyes
I wish to keep them closed
I wish to open them

I wish to keep them closed
For I fear reality
Reality of not having you close to me
For you are not here with me

How I wish to open them
For the hope to find you is with me
For I hope to search for you

Should I keep the light on?
Should I switch the light off?
When on
The reality is beyond comprehension
For I can see all corners of my bedroom but you

When off
The hope burns in me
The hope to seek for and find you
Will I find you?
Should I keep on searching?

These robs me of sleep
For the search for you takes forever

How long will the nightmare of not having you next to me last?

Each day that passes gives me hope
For I am a day towards seeing you
For yesterday is gone
Tommorrow brings hope

May the hope keep on burning
May I feel you in your absense
May you feel me in my absense
For this will pass
And we will be lost in our joy