OTJIWARONGO - Otjozondjupa governor, James Uerikua has called for the urgent renaming of the Lothar von Trotha Street at Otjiwarongo, saying the municipality has been slow in executing that specific mandate.

Uerikua made the call during a meeting with local authority councillors of the Otjiwarongo Municipality yesterday where they discussed matters related to poor conditions of the roads, and potholes, including the renaming of streets and townships.

Uerikua said the street which stretches 840 metres, in an affluent suburb of Otjiwarongo’s Extension 5 in honour of former German military commander, Lothar von Trotha should be renamed with urgency.

“It is this same Von Trotha who issued an extermination order against the Hereros and Namas and as a result about 85 000 Hereros and more than 10 000 Namas were killed. What are we celebrating about Von Trotha? In this generation we are demanding reparations,” he said.

The governor further suggested that names of people with outstanding contributions towards the social and economic development of Otjiwarongo be considered for the honours in consultation with the public.

Former Okakarara constituency councillor, Vetaruhe Kandorozu in 2016 and 2017 expressed similar dismay over the Von Trotha Street signboards which stood tall in Extension 5, saying Von Trotha was the colonial army commander who during the 1904-1908 genocide oversaw the execution of thousands of Nama and Ovaherero people in Namibia.

In response, the acting CEO of Otjiwarongo, Erickson Mwanyekange told the meeting that the street naming and renaming committee which comprises himself will soon pronounce itself on the matter.

Mayor Gottlieb Shivute, local authority councillor Sebetius Guiteb and Adelheid Shilongo from the communications
department are also members of the committee, while the community is represented by Moderatha Shaduka, Hertha Bukasa, Mario Mberira and Festus Vizembua. Their term ends in 2026. -Nampa