Dalene Kooper
The annual genocide remembrance week serves as a platform to educate Namibians about the heinous crimes meted out against the Nama and Ovaherero by the brutal German colonial regime.
This is according to the chairperson of the Nama Traditional Leaders Association (NTLA), Gaob Dawid Hanse, who lamented that the genocide is not entirely part of Namibia’s formal education curriculum.
The NTLA held the weeklong remembrance event at Lüderitz.
The event brought together descendants of the various Nama tribes alongside Nama and Ovaherero chiefs to honour the victims of the genocide and educate the future generations.
“The importance of this gathering is to transfer knowledge of the atrocities committed by the Germans towards the Nama communities to our youth. And showcasing the impact those events have on us until today. It will be our responsibility to tell the stories ourselves,” Hanse said.
The traditional leader hopes that the Nama and Ovaherero unite for acknowledgement and demand justice through reparations.
One of the Ovaherero traditional leaders in attendance was Rukambe Uazukuani of the Okamatapati, representing academic Mutjinde Katjiua, who leads one of the Ovaherero Traditional Authority factions.
Uazukuani said that the remembrance week is vital to preserve historical events and educate future generations.
Uazukuani said the gathering symbolises unity among the communities “who died together” during the Ovaherero and Namaqua genocide.
He added that the remembrance plays a critical role in raising awareness among young people and the international community. He said that many people, including the Germans, remain unaware of the historical events, making education and awareness important.
“This week was to enlighten the public and teach younger generations. If we do not take responsibility to educate our children, who will?” he questioned.
He called on the Namibian government to prioritise national interest, stating that failure to address historical injustices, including land dispossession, continues to deepen impact and inequality.
The weeklong event included entrepreneurial workshops aimed at empowering Namibian youth and the genocide commemoration march to Shark Island on Saturday.