I would like to reject the commemoration that was held on 18 May 2025 in Tallismanus, Otjombinde constituency by OvaMbanderu Traditional Council (OTC) better known as “Ovanamutjemo,” in respect of the great icon, the freedom fighter, Ohoze  Claudius Jakaunga Heuva.  

Following the introduction of the Odendaal Plan in Namibia in 1964 by the South African government, black people were divided into 10 different ethnic groups, and the whites were relocated into the most central areas with much good rain.

This has resulted in some areas being unoccupied, and today a place known as Otjombinde constituency in  the Omaheke region, was unoccupied by that time. 

A strong tension was raised between OvaMbanderu and OvaHerero, 1960-1970, in Aminuis. OvaHerero had the privilege of the Paramount Chief Hosea K. Kutako, they were entitled that Aminuis belonged to them, and demanded that OvaMbanderu people should completely move out. 

In response to this, by seeking solutions, OvaMbanderu people held several meetings in Gobabis with the South African administration, demanding that they be relocated to maintain peace in the community. 

During that difficult time of the discussions with the SA administration, some of the OvaMbanderu people moved to Epukiro from Aminuis,  while others tried to occupy the Aminuis Corridors area, away from the Aminuis central area, which OvaHerero claimed belonged to them. 

The said meetings between OvaMbanderu and the South African administration were facilitated by Mr. Elifas Katemune Tjingaete, Mr.  Claudius Jakaunga Heuva and other prominent Mbanderu people. 

This resulted in the approval that was granted by the  SA administration (Whites) on 12 February 1968 that the OvaMbanderu community should relocate and occupy Otjombinde.

Following this approval and at that difficult time of no transport, no connections and no roads, Mr Claduis Jakaunga Heuva, who’s known as Ohoze, on 16 July 1968, accompanied by his family, moved to Otjombinde, an unoccupied area for four years, the area of lions and other wild animals. Mr. Heuva and his family stayed there alone in the whole constituency for a year, and later in 1969, he was joined by Mr. Tjitaka Toromba, and early in 1970 by Mr. Meneva Tjijenda.

The following homestead, join towards the end of 1970, the Ndjoze’s, Uanivi’s, Ndjaveras, Tjozongoro and Ngunovandu, all from Aminuis. In 1971, Mr Elifas Katemune Tjingaete moved to Otjombinde from Epukiro with others such as the Tjipepa, Kaurivi, Katjirua and many more. On 9 September 1972, Mr Elias Katemune Tjingaete was installed as Hoffman of Otjombinde as per the South African Administration at that time, which before that event is all history. 

Today, the Otjombinde community values the amazing effort contributed by Mr.  Heuva and others, as today we have a place to call home. 

Claudius Jakaunga Heuva died on 18 April 2012, and as per his will, the family started the first cemetery in Tallismanus. We buried him there, and named this cemetery “Claudius Jakaunga Heuva Shrine.” After that, other prominent community members were also buried at the Heuva’s Shrine, the likes of Kanguu Hengari, Muhonge Karirao, Hijamajaju Kaiko, Maziro Kandjou, Kavetjimo Katuuo, Dan Kavezepa and Manuel Murangi. 

In 2016, the Heuva family, in consultation with the spouse Mama Kuenjee Heuva and the most senior nephew Mr. Kanguu Hengari,  decided to start with a yearly commemoration to pay respect and tribute in remembrance of the life of Mr. Heuva, the great work which he contributed to Otjombinde, and the effort to the freedom of this country.

A collective resolution was taken by the family members, and opted to hold this commemoration yearly in Tallismanus at the sports field, not under any political or traditional authority affiliations on 16 July, as the date known for relocation.  

We purposely did not select 18 April, his death date in 2012, by trying to be inclusive to others who are buried there, and opted for the relocation date of 16 July, which marks more value in history. 

The commemoration successfully took place from 2016 to 2020, and because of the Covid-19 pandemic in 2021, the family decided to suspend the event in line with the national Covid-19 protocol, to 2023. 

Some community members under the OvaMbanderu Traditional Council, better known as Ovanamutjemo, have hijacked the event in which they never participated before, and held their first commemoration on 18 April 2024, claiming they remember Heuva’s life on his death date, of which Heuva himself was a Senior Traditional Councillor  under OvaMbanderu Traditional Authority (OTA), better known as Omimbonde Vitano. 

Again, on 18 May 2025, the same thing happened, and the event was hijacked again without consultation. Heuva’s family feels that 18 May has no significance in the history of Otjombinde nor the life of our father, grandfather and uncle.

Thus,  the Heuva family would like to make categorically clear that the annual Otjombinde commemoration stands on 18-20 July 2025, and shall continue yearly in July until Jesus comes.

*Ueituaravi Heuva writes on behalf of the Heuva family.