Unity, just reparations for genocide, economic emancipation, revival of cattle farming and the preservation of culture will form part of the core objectives of the Ovaherero Traditional Authority’s DNA, should aspiring paramount chief Mike Kavekotora ascend to the throne.
The economist, who also serves as Rally for Democracy and Progress (RDP) leader and member of parliament, laid bare his blueprint for the OTA during an exclusive interview with New Era recently.
“We are too fragmented. We have no common platforms. We don’t discuss common issues within the Namibian unitary state. We are fighting over trivial issues.
“We are losing too much, even economic opportunities that could have uplifted us. Uniting the Ovaherero people will benefit both the community and the country,” Kavekotora said, while pointing to unity as one of his main objectives.
Having led some of the country’s biggest parastatals such as TransNamib, Telecom (as an executive) and the National Housing Enterprise (as CEO), Kavekotora is convinced that his vast experience positions him as the ideal candidate for the role of Ombara otjitambi.
The karate enthusiast was initially hesitant to consider vying for the PC position as he struggled seeing the position beyond traditional matters.
But after due consideration, he realised that there is “actual work to be done”.
One issue that will enjoy the technocrat’s heightened attention is the genocide, which he believes the German and Namibian governments are paying lip service to.
Kavekotora faces stiff competition for the OTA’s top post in the form of fellow politician and Popular Democratic Movement president McHenry Venaani and academic Hoze Riruako.
The election is slated for early 2023.
This is all while a certain faction within the OTA has already elected and coronated professor Mutjinde Katjiua as paramount chief.
N$13 trillion
The 66-year-old questioned how Germany and Namibia arrived at the N$18 billion quantum as reparations for genocide.
“If you go to the joint declaration, it speaks about ‘grants’, not reparations. Grant is what the Namibian government is getting all the time. They are taking us for a ride,” he said.
According to his conservative estimates, the figure for the atrocities the Germans committed on Namibian soil is nothing less than N$13 trillion.
He used classic examples where countries or governments paid reparations for committing genocide.
One of the examples was what Germany paid to holocaust survivors after the Nazis killed at least six million European Jews or the Lockerbie bombing of 2001 that claimed more than 200 lives.
“The human live is estimated at N$9 million. If you look at the land that was stolen by the Germans, that is prime land and its value is known. There is the loss of life. Around 100 000 Hereros and Namas were killed.
“Look at the opportunity cost. We could have been anything between 3.5 million and four million by now if you look at the population growth,” he added.
Two paramount chiefs
Now more than ever, the OTA might have two PCs – Katjiua and whoever emerges victorious between Kavekotora, Venaani and Riruako.
Kavekotora addressed the elephant in the room, saying even if there are two chiefs, they must be able to put up a united front on issues of common interest.
“I cannot run away from the probability that we could end up with two chiefs. But that does not prevent you as a leader from addressing things collectively. You can still have synergies by focusing on the matter.
“For example, on the issues of genocide, the question that both chiefs should have at the back of their minds is ‘what is the impact of us discussing genocide separately versus discussing it collectively?’ This is what I call private victories. You have those issues where you can find common ground.”
At the heart of Kavekotora’s decision to accept the nomination is the process through which Katjiua was elected as PC.
“The Hereros have certain ways that they organise themselves and how succession takes place. I am saying this from a distance because I wasn’t involved in this whole process since the death of the late chief (advocate Vekuii Rukoro),” he said.
Kavekotora continued: “After the death of the late Rukoro, a committee of seven was elected to basically deal with burial and funeral matters. But it seems that it eventually converted itself into permanent sort of committee that eventually organised for the nomination, appointment and coronation of the chief.”
Agriculture
Additionally, the Ovaherero community are renowned cattle farmers, something they have now deviated from, he asserted.
“We will encourage our people to get back to farming,” he said.
To return to their roots and reap maximum rewards from farming, the OTA under Kavekotora’s stewardship will encourage young Ovaherero to pursue studies in agriculture.
“If you buy a cow for N$15 000, after eight months, that cow will deliver a calf and after eight months, that calf will sell for N$8 000. That is a return of more than 50%. It is quite significant compared to any other investment one could make,” he said.
Reviving cattle farming cannot be divorced from ancestral land claims.
“The question of ancestral land has not been addressed. It has effects on our people. The resettlement programme is not working. We need to restore the dignity of our people,” he said.
‘Kamboto’
Born Mike Ratoveni Kamboto at Ombuzu, north of Kunene regional capital, Opuwo 66 years ago, Kavekotora’s academic journey begins at Orumana, where his grandmother worked as a domestic worker for commissioner Gerrit ‘Karungoojo’ Visser who can be equated to regional governor in today’s context.
After completing Form 4 [grade 10] in 1972, Kavekotora worked as a teacher after being identified by the late Lazarus Ueritjinga Ndovazu, who was a headmaster at Orumana.
He briefly taught mathematics.
In March 1978, Ovaherero PC at the time, Clemens Kapuuo was gunned down in cold blood, in the capital.
That year, the late Kuaima Riruako, who was heir to Kapuuo’s throne led a delegation to Opuwo, to among others brief the chiefs in the Kaokoland about the demise.
During the meeting, Kavekotora was asked to translate proceedings from Otjiherero to English.
Months later, Riruako, who had just returned from the United States of America (USA) where he was pursuing his studies, gave instructions that Kavekotora and other young Ovaherero speaking people be dispatched to the States for further studies.
“Riruako insisted that I should be one of the people. That’s how I ended up in the States,” he recalls.
Upon arriving in the US, Kavekotora enrolled for the high school equivalency diploma before going on to complete a Master’s Degree in Developmental Economics at Long Island University in New York.
While there, he also obtained a degree in accounting at Mercy College.
In 1986, he was back in Namibia, while some of his peers decided to take up permanent residency.
“After finishing my studies, I took up employment to save up for my ticket. I also bought a few things for my family and came back home. I always argued that I cannot stay in the US, a country developed by other people. I always wanted to come back home to make my contribution here,” he said.
He worked for M+Z Motors as well as German firm Institute for Management and Leadership Training (IMLT) as an SME developer before joining Telecom in 1999.
“I took up the nomination because it is my way of giving back to my community through service,” the politician said.
Kavekotora is cognizant that the PC position is not monetarily rewarding. The opposite is true.
“I am aware and I will make sure that I don’t deplete everything I have worked for over the years. I know when to pull the financial breaks. I also know that the Ovaherero people can become self-sustaining. That is what we have to work for instead of relying on one person to take care of us,” he said.
The businessman-cum-politician is married to Laurensia Karizembua Kavekotora, who is a teacher by training. They have two children, Peuee and Ritjiua.
“I am married and as you know, I have a lot of kids,” he said lightly.
He has a black belt in Okinawan goju ryu, the gentle karate that emphasises winning combat by using your opponent’s weight and strength as weapons against them, while preserving your own mental health and physical energy.
Apart from business and politics, he is a farmer in the Outjo area where he owns a farm.
Caption: (Mike)