Okanguati
Emotions were still running high at Okanguati last week when Ovahimba chiefs and their followers, who gathered for an unrelated ceremony, shared their sentiments regarding the planned construction of a hydropower station on the Kunene River.
The governments of Namibia and Angola intend to build a hydropower plant and dam downstream of the Epupa Falls at Orokawe or Baynes, which has stirred up feelings, with chiefs who spoke to New Era claiming the Namibian government wants to “steal” from them.
“If we give away our land for the construction of the dam where will we go?” asked chief Maongo Hembinda of Orotjirindi in the Epupa Constituency.
Hembinda maintained that the construction of the hydropower station will only benefit government and not the immediate inhabitants of the area, who are predominantly the Ovahimba.
He also stressed that their ancestors lie buried there and it is an abomination in the Ovahimba tradition to exhume graves. “We do not live as though Namibia is independent,” commented Hembinda.
He also claimed there has not been proper consultations from government to make the communities understand how the construction of the dam will benefit them, and where they will be relocated should they agree to the construction of the dam.
“You maybe just hear about the construction of a dam but to us it is not just about construction of a dam. It involves many things – that place is rich with our tradition and we cannot just give it away like that,” he said.
But he was quick to concede that there are some people among the Ovahimba community of Orokawe who agree that the construction should take place.
“The ones who have agreed to the construction of the dam know where they are going. But I don’t know where they are going. Even if they are given a lot of money, I don’t know how long that money will sustain them,” said Hembinda.
“They [government] lie to us that we will get jobs, schools, electricity and hospitals, but in many parts where our people live those things are not available.”
A local woman, Kapezemi Kapika, said: “Even if employment is created our ancestors’ graves will be washed away and they will be lost forever.”
Chief Jonas Ngombe of Orotjitombo in the Opuwo Constituency commented: “We will not allow the construction of the dam because that is where our livelihood is.”
Motjinduika Mutambo, a senior advisor of chief Mutambanda Kapika, also weighed in, saying: “Our people gave away Ruacana for the construction of a dam but the indigenous people there remain uneducated and marginalised.”
Kunene Governor Angelika Muharukua said last week at her home village of Ovinjange that she does not know the status of the Epupa hydropower project.
“Only the Angolan government can give a definite answer because it is between the two countries (Namibia and Angola),” said Muharukua. The governor further maintained that the people of Kunene Region are in favour of the construction of the hydropower plant and dam.
“DTA does not want the dam. It’s not the people of Kunene,” Muharukua said.