GOBABIS−Chief Nguvauva Nguvauva of the Ovambanderu people in Botswana’s Toromoja district will be laid to rest on Saturday at Toromoja Botswana.

Nguvauva (89) well known as Kgosi Nguvauva II by the Batswana, died on 29 December 2025 at his homestead in Toromoja.Nguvauva was the grandson of Chief Nicodemus Hiatuvao Nguvauva, the revered leader who guided the migration of the Ovambanderu people into Botswana (Ngamiland) in the late 19th century.

According to the spokesperson of the Ovambanderu Traditional Authority (OTA) in Namibia, Uazenga Ngahahe, hundreds of Ovambanderu in Namibia will accompany their Chief, Tjozohongo Nguvauva, to Toromoja for the burial.

“Our Chief Tjozohongo travelled on Tuesday to Botswana, and a delegation comprising senior traditional councillors and community members is on the way to Botswana,” he said.

Ngahahe added that Maharero Royal House Chief Tjinaani Maharero will also be travelling to Botswana to pay tribute to the late Nguvauva. “Nguvauva’s passing is a great loss to the entire Ovambanderu community. He was among the torch bearers for the Ovambanderu in Botswana, and he witnessed many colonial histories of the past,” he said, among others.

Botswana member of parliament Kata Hikuama, in his tribute message seen by Nampa, described the late Kgosi Nguvauva as a living embodiment of Ovambanderu history, a guardian of traditions and a steady hand during the times of change.

“Nguvauva understood that people without knowledge of their past are like a tree without roots. In Toromoja, he was the heartbeat of the community and possessed the rare gift of quiet authority,” said Hikuama, adding he did not need to raise his voice to be heard, his wisdom commanded respect. The parliamentarian added that Nguvauva’s leadership was marked by a deep concern for the land and cattle, lifeblood of the people.

“He taught us that honesty is the highest form of bravery and that service to one’s people is the highest calling,” said Hikuama, among others.
-Nampa