Ongandjera

Ongandjera (from "aagandji yiiyela", place of gold metal thread beads) is a tribal area near Okahao in the Omusati Region in northern Namibia. Ongandjera is the birthplace of Sam Nujoma, the country's first president,^[1] and of Pendukeni Iivula-Ithana who was the secretary-general of SWAPO from 2007 to 2012.

Kingdom of Ongandjera

Historically part of Ovamboland, Ongandjera is the seat of a traditional kingship, the Ongandjera Traditional Authority. In 1917, South Africa stripped the rulers of seven kingships, including Ongandjera, of their authority to rule their territory. Nevertheless, the position of King of the Ongandjera was continued. Following Namibia's independence, the king of Ongandjera declared the royal family restored.^[2] Kings of Ongandjera were:^[3]

• Uushona wa Shiimi (until 1971)
• Jafet Munkundi (1971-2012)
• Johannes Mupiya (since 2012)

References

1. "Sam Nujoma". Encyclopædia Britannica. Chicago: Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc. 2007.
2. Forrest, Joshua B. (2003). Subnationalism in Africa: Ethnicity, Alliances, and Politics. Lynne Rienner Publishers. p. 215. ISBN 1-58826-227-8.
3. Ndeyanale, Eliaser (31 August 2023). "Man with albinism claims to be sidelined from Ongandjera throne". The Namibian. p. 1.