THE death of Reverend Batholomeus Godwin Karuaera, who died at the age of 93 and was accorded a hero’s funeral last weekend, made me realise how we as journalists, especially those who work for the public media houses have somehow failed in our duty to educate and ensure the history of this country is properly documented.
The history of the liberation struggle has always been my favourite topic and I have interviewed many eminent personalities who played a pivotal role in the fight against apartheid and colonialism in this country.
Although I was just a minor at independence, my job has placed me at an advantaged position to know about the events that took place and the hardships that our parents endured during that time.
But I must admit that I did not know Reverend Karuaera until his death last month. Only when I saw his pictures being published did I remember seeing a very frail senior citizen in a wheelchair at various public events.
I read the articles of tributes by my senior colleague Kae Matundu-Tjiparuro and Professor Peter Katjavivi. I also had an opportunity to cover his memorial service at the Parliament Gardens where speaker after speaker described him as an extraordinary man, a dedicated SWAPO cadre who despite the torture and harassment stood like a rock to resist colonialism in Namibia.
President Hifikepunye Pohamba accorded him a hero’s funeral, which confirms that Reverend Karuaera was no ordinary man.
But what I have observed is that many did not know this legendary man, especially the young generation. Few people attended the memorial service, which was unusual for a State funeral. Many of my friends were asking who this man was and why is he not in the history books?
Karuaera was Secretary to Chief Hosea Kutako, and is well known for his role in the drafting of the petition to the United Nations. I could only imagine, he was probably the young man, sitting on the wooden chair with a book and a pen, while the old men were talking.
My point of departure is that we need to do more to educate our people on the history of this country. There are so many Karuaeruas – the unsung heroes of this country, whose extraordinary stories need to be recorded.
I do not know what effort the Ministry of Veteran Affairs is making in this regard, but a Special Task Force to document the history is needed and both government and the private sector should help journalists in the public media with resources to come up with special projects to properly document the history of this country. Eewa!
By Tonateni Shidhudhu