Zebaldt Ngaruka
OTJINENE – Chief Tjinaani Maharero of the Maharero Royal House has applauded the government of Botswana for providing refuge to the Ovaherero community under Supreme Chief Samuel Maharero during the era of colonial oppression.
Maharero made the remarks at the recent renaming of Feld Strasse which was renamed to Sir Seretse Khama Street in central Windhoek, adding that the gesture of appreciation extends from him and the entire Ovaherero people.
“Indeed, I wish to point out that the Bamangwato, Batawana and Bakgatla tribes, under their respective Supreme Chiefs, played an instrumental role,” he said.
Maharero recalled that Chiefs Khama III, Moremi, Sechele, Sentswe and their communities hosted his great-grandfather, Chief Samuel Maharero, together with other chiefs who led their people into the Bechuanaland Protectorate, where they were granted sanctuary.
“We are profoundly thankful for their protection, especially for our late Supreme Chief Samuel Maharero, who bore the heavy price of loss of life at the hands of the German regime under Kaiser Wilhelm,” he said.
The chief also acknowledged the assistance rendered by Chief Khama III and Chief Tsekedi Khama, who worked closely with Frederick Maharero and his brothers.
“These chiefs devised strategies to petition the League of Nations and assisted Regent Hosea Kutako in sending petitions through Reverend Michael Scott and others,” Maharero noted.
He added that the Botswana chiefs collaborated with his predecessors to formulate a formidable strategy in the fight for their people’s freedom.
“It would be deeply remiss of us not to mention the immense contribution of Botswana’s founding president, Sir Seretse Khama, who ensured that the 1904 War of Resistance lived on, ultimately paving the way for Namibia’s independence,” Maharero stated.
The chief further extended his gratitude to President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah and the City of Windhoek for approving the Maharero Royal House’s request to bestow this honour upon Botswana’s founding president, Sir Seretse Khama, on behalf of the people of Botswana. He also expressed appreciation to President Duma Gideon Boko and his entourage for gracing the occasion.
Chief Maharero pledged to visit Botswana to personally thank and appreciate the chiefs and citizens who hosted Namibians since 1905 and granted them full citizenship rights.
He reiterated that the Maharero Royal House will remain eternally grateful to witness the dawn of a new era are a forward-looking and inclusive dispensation under President Boko. There indigenous languages, including Otjiherero, have been recognised as official languages in Botswana.