Zebaldt Ngaruka
EZORONGONDO – Ovambanderu from various commandos countrywide on Friday paid homage to their fallen leader, chief Munjuku II Nguvauva, at Ezorongondo in Omaheke region’s Epukiro constituency.
Nguvauva led the Ovambanderu community for more than five decades until his death on 16 January 2008.
The Ovambanderu Traditional Authority (OTA) spokesperson, Uazenga Ngahahe, told New Era that the commemoration focused merely on the late chief Nguvauva’s contributions to the Ovambanderu and Namibians in general.
“Our late chief worked tirelessly for this community. He rode a horse to look for his people who were scattered around the country, which signalled him as a true leader,” said Ngahahe.
Nguvauva was humble, and always put the community’s interests ahead of his own, Ngahehe recalled.
Among the key things Nguvauva is remembered for is the Ovambanderu community’s constitution.
“This is one of the remarkable things in the Ovambanderu, and that constitution is the guide for all Ovambanderu. Everything regarding us must always be done in accordance with this constitution,” said the spokesperson.
Ngahahe added that the Ovambanderu are recognised due to the unwavering efforts of the late chief Nguvauva.
“He also played a pivotal role for Namibia to get independence. One of his quests was for the country to get independence under the United Nations,” he said.
The late chief also played a part in the resettlement of the Botswana returnees into their motherland.
Vita Katjiteo, the OTA secretariat secretary, said Nguvauva was a mastermind behind the establishment of Okovimburu school for the Ovambanderu community and the entire Omaheke region.
“Today, this school, known as Good Hope Primary School, is accommodating all communities in Namibia. He was a knowledgeable leader who guided the community to be self-reliant, and ordered all the Ovambanderu to donate livestock for the maintenance of the school,” said Katjiteo.
“All our chief wanted was for the Ovambanderu community to be independent from colonial oppression. He succeeded in that, as the country now is free,” said the former educator.
At the Windhoek Commando, the commemoration was dominated by lectures on Nguvauva’s history, with senior Mama Karii Zauana among the speakers as well as senior traditional councillors.
Windhoek’s Commando 4 major Juanita Uaraa Mbaukua said the late chief was an exemplary leader, who stood firm for his community.
“He was a freedom fighter, who never wavered in his determination to fight for the independence of our country. He refused to be controlled by colonisers, and never wanted his motherland to be illegally occupied by anti-liberation manoeuvres,” she said.
Nguvauva was buried in Okahandja alongside chief Kahimemua Nguvauva and other Ovambanduru heroes.
