By Rinelda Mouton
Some members of the Rehoboth community are voicing frustration over the inauguration of Herbert George Jacky Britz as the eighth Kaptein of the Rehoboth Baster Gemeente Traditional Authority, which was recently held at the Paulus Congregation of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Rehoboth.
Britz’s designation, approved earlier this year by urban and rural development minister James Sankwasa, follows his election in 2021 after the death of long serving Kaptein John McNab. Britz is the first Kaptein to be officially recognised by the state since independence.
Lukas de Klerk of the Established Rehoboth Baster Gemeente Concerned Group said Britz, through his lawyer, denied that the paternal laws had been repealed, which in his view automatically disqualifies him from the Kapteinskip.
“There was an election in 2021 for a new Kaptein for the Rehoboth Baster Gemeente. After the election the party that took part was not satisfied with the results. They went to the High Court of Namibia. Britz’s lawyer said in court that the Rehoboth Baster Gemeente Vaderlike Wette, the community fatherly laws, had been repealed. The High Court accepted it and the judge removed the case from the roll,” de Klerk said.
Director of African Labour and Human Rights Centre, August Maletzky said what is unfolding in Rehoboth does not reflect the true will of the Baster people, but rather a process he believes is flawed and politically influenced.
“The Vaderlike Wette are not optional guidelines, they are the constitutional backbone of Baster self governance. Any Kaptein who denies or sidelines those laws weakens the very authority he claims to hold. This inauguration raises serious concerns. The process was neither transparent nor democratic, and many in the community feel left out and ignored,” Maletzky said.
Maletzky added that when leadership appears to emerge through alignment with a ruling political structure and a politically affiliated judiciary, instead of a clear mandate from the people, it creates the perception that such leadership serves political interests before it serves the community.
“And that is the real danger here, the erosion of self determination. The Baster people have fought too long and too hard for their identity and governance structures to now see them diluted or overridden. Let me be clear, this is not about attacking an individual, it is about rejecting a process that many view as illegitimate. Leadership must be earned through the trust and consent of the people, not facilitated through political convenience. If this situation is allowed to stand unchallenged, it sets a dangerous precedent, not just for Rehoboth, but for traditional and community based governance across Namibia. The call now must be for accountability, transparency, and a return to lawful, community driven processes that truly reflect the will of the Baster people,” Maletzky said.
Meanwhile, another resident, Warren Platt said Britz needs to become more visible and active in his role.
“So far Britz has been quiet. We hardly see or hear from him. He has to engage more with the public. We need a Kaptein who will help improve the lives of our people. We would like to see him almost everywhere. Our children have to see our Kaptein,” Platt said.
On his part, Britz said that as a lead- er it is not possible to please everyone all the time.
“We live in a democratic world. There is no way that 100 percent of the people will always agree. It is a normal thing that not all people are always in favour of the leader. I respect their feelings and I want them to respect the people who have voted in favour of me. I would like them to give me a chance to prove them wrong,” Britz said.
Britz stressed that many of the people who are complaining are not personally coming to him, but would express their views on social media platforms. He said that traditional issues are not for social media.
“My office is open every Monday and Friday for information sessions where the public can share their views. I do not want to be popular. I want to serve my people. I am not in the position to please everyone. I am just an ordinary human being who is looking after the welfare of my people. The welfare of my people is my priority,” Britz said.
