By Mashete Lumamezi
Supporters of the United Democratic Party (UDP) held a peaceful march on Wednesday in Katima Mulilo, calling for Namibian President Dr Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah to consider a lasting solution to the long-standing issue of Caprivi’s right to self-determination.
Their planned peaceful demonstration was earlier rejected, as petitions were submitted by the four Traditional Authorities of the Zambezi Region: Mayeyi Traditional Authority, Mashi Traditional Authority, Masubia Traditional Authority, and Mafwe Traditional Authority. All four authorities opted not to support the UDP’s calls for the independence of Caprivi on Monday, December 15, 2025.
Reading the petition was Mr Leonard Malesu, UDP Chairperson, who said that “we believe a political solution is an answer to a political issue, so the Caprivi issues and the dialogue are the answer to political questions, not oppression or silencing, intimidation, harassment and threats”
He added that Caprivians deserve better treatment just like any other people in the world.
“We also believe in our political ideology, as we stated in our previous petitions, we believe there are no legal documents that incorporated the Caprivi Strip lawfully to be part of Namibia. To the people who say Caprivi is part of Namibia, they should state the fact that if they have points, they should call for a dialogue or a referendum. Caprivi Strip issue needs serious engagement with the government of Namibia and other relevant international organisations to resolve this matter in a well-dignified manner, since we believe and understand that this is a sensitive issue”
Mr Malesu also responded to the recently held demonstration organised by the traditional Leaders on December 15, that it was a disgrace to the face of the world and the indigenous tribes of the Caprivi Strip.
“It is astonishing to find that the same Traditional Authorities are turning back to their first petition by CANU and local Traditional Leaders seeking the Independence of the Caprivi Strip was sent to the UN in 1963” said the petition
According to the petition, the Caprivi Strip was historically a separate territory distinct from South West Africa (now Namibia) and should be allowed to self-determination.
“The petition was signed by CANU president Mr Brendan Kangongolo Simbwaye , Chief Moraliswani of the Basubia tribe and Chief Mamili of the Mafwe tribe.
The petition claimed that the 1890 Heligoland Treaty, which created the Strip for the Germans to have access to the Zambezi, treated the area differently from the rest of German South West Africa, which is Namibia today.
The petition highlighted that the administration of the Caprivi strip has been transferred directly to Pretoria (South Africa) separately from the South West Africa (Namibia), therefore, we can only encourage our traditional authority to finish what they have started rather than turning back, if not so they should refrain from politics and concentrate on traditional matters.”
UDP Petition added that “We tried to arrange a time of dialogue with the Governor of the Zambezi Region that she did not take into consideration following up on a meeting that we had with the Governor on 22 August 2025, where she promised to resolve the matter, but unfortunately that did not materialise with reasons only known by her.”
In conclusion, the petition further requested the Namibian president, Nandi-Ndaitwah find a political solution and to release all Caprivi high treason prisoners, and to allow for the return of all Caprivians who are in exile.
“We are appealing to the Namibian President, Her Excellency Dr Nandi Netumbo Ndaitwah, to look into this matter very urgently. We demand unconditional release of all Caprivi political prisoners and immediate return of those who are still in diaspora.
We demand that the United Nations organise a referendum in the Caprivi Strip. We appeal to all international organisations and NGOs to intervene in this matter. We believe the people of Caprivi have suffered a lot under the Namibian Government.”
However, Zambezi Regional Governor, Dorothy Kabula, refused to receive their petition, saying that “as a governor and daughter of the Zambezi region, I also have the right”
She pointed out that traditional leaders from Zambezi delivered their petitions the 15th of December, and she lamented the fact that traditionally, when elders make their submissions no body is allowed to talk, and she gave all petitions delivered to her from the tribal chiefs of Zambezi to UDP Chairperson to read, and she said that this should not be taken as a political matter.
“Today am ready not to receive any petition because our elders have said they need peace, unity and development for their region, for their granddaughters and sons to get job opportunities”, said Governor Kabula.
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