Munjuku Nguvauva II

Munjuku Nguvauva II (January 1, 1923 – January 16, 2008) was a Namibian traditional paramount chief and leader of the Ovambanderu and Mbanderu communiies, ethnic groups who live in Namibia and Botswana.^[1] Nguvauva was also deputy chief of Namibia's Traditional Leaders Council.^[1]

Early life

Nguvauva II was born in the town of Maun, Botswana, on January 1, 1923.^[1] He and his family moved from Botswana to Namibia in 1951.^[1]

Nguvauva was the great grandson of Mbanderu Chief Kahimemua Nguvauva.^[1] (The Mbanderu are an ethnic group from Namibia and Botswana). Kahimemua was executed in 1896 by the German colonial administration of German South-West Africa for his part in the first armed rebellion against German rule.^[1]

Chief

Munjuku II Nguvauva was formally inaugurated as Chief in 1951, the same year that he moved to what is now Namibia.^[1]

Death

Nguvauva's health began to decline after a series of strokes in November 2004 and again in 2005.^[1] Complications from the strokes left Nguvauva's with impaired speech.^[1] He spent long periods of time in the Gobabis State Hospital and the Roman Catholic Hospital in Windhoek over the next few years as his health continued to deteriorate.^[1]

Nguvauva was rushed to Windhoek Central Hospital on Monday, January 14, 2008, from his home in Ezorongondo village, Epukiro constituency which is located in the Omaheke Region.^[1] Munjuku II Nguvauva died on January 16, 2008, at the Windhoek Central Hospital at the age of 84.^[1] He was survived by his wife, Aletta Karikondua Nguvauva, as well as several children and grandchildren.^[1]

Succession

Analysts believe that there may be a power struggle to decide who will succeed Nguvauva as Chief of the Mbanderu community.^[1] On potential candidate for Chief is Namibia's Fisheries Deputy Minister Kilus Nguvauva, who is Munjuku II Nguvauva's son from a previous relationship.^[1] Kilus Nguvauva, like his father, was born in Botswana.^[1]

Another claimant to the title of Chief is Keharanjo Nguvauva, the 23-year-old son of Munjuku II Nguvauva and his wife, Aletta Karikondua Katjiteo-Nguvauva.^[1] Keharanjo Nguvauva was also born in Botswana and grew up there with his older half-brother, Kilus Nguvauva, and his family.^[1] Keharanjo Nguvauva is currently attending law school in South Africa.^[1]

Some members of the Mbanderu community have called for a change of the tribal constitution to allow for a smoother transition and greater say in who becomes Chief.^[1] This position is opposed by others.^[1]

External links

• The Namibian: President mourns passing of Chief Munjuku Nguvauva

References

1. ^ ^{a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u} "Mbanderu Chief Nguvauva Dies". The Namibian (AllAfrica.com). 2008-01-17. http://allafrica.com/stories/200801170490.html. Retrieved 2008-01-19. 

Persondata
Name	Nguvauva, Munjuku II
Alternative names
Short description
Date of birth	January 1, 1923
Place of birth
Date of death	January 16, 2008
Place of death