Zebaldt Ngaruka
GOBABIS – The dark cloud has fallen on the Ovambanderu community as they mourn the passing of their senior traditional councillor, Gerson Kunomundu Katjirua who died on Sunday in Windhoek.
Leading the mourners is the Ovambanderu Traditional Authority’s spokesperson, Uazenga Ngahahe who described Katjirua as an iconic leader who never wavered in the beliefs of the Ovambanderu community.
“We have lost a great leader, who was knowledgeable in many aspects of the community. He preached real unity and was always standing firm for the interests of all Ovambanderu,” he said.
Ngahahe added that Katjirua, better known as Omutize wanted development within his community and always urged the youth to take their education seriously.
“He was someone who had a strong impact on the Ovambanderu and worked closely with all the late Ovambanderu chiefs. He worked with Chief Munjuku Nguvauva II, better known as Munene and Kilus Nguvauva,” the spokesperson said.
He further said it is difficult to mention all the work Katjirua did for his community and the nation at large.
“He was also appointed as the chairperson of the Ovaherero/Ovambanderu and Nama Council for Genocide which showed his influence in community matters. He is respected and will be honoured as a true community leader,” said Ngahahe.
Arnold Ripuree Tjozongoro, the senior councillor of OTA described Katjirua as a true hero of the Ovambanderu and his passing had left a deep void.
“It is painful and hard to accept his passing. He was the man of all traits and knew when to talk and not to say anything,” Tjozongoro said.
The senior councillor who grew up with Katjirua, said the late leader never wanted to go to school and his focus was on farming.
“We grew up together in Otjozondjima, he stayed with his grandmother, Adeline Katjihungame Katjirua, who always forced and escorted him to school in Omaueuozonjanda. Katjirua would always hide in the bushes halfway to school and wait for us to return from school, to joing us” Tjozongoro remembered.
According to Tjozongoro, the late Katjirua left school to start herding cattle.
“Today, Katjirua is a renowned farmer and exemplary to many in the farming industry. He was good at noticing grazing areas for livestock and established cattle posts in many areas of Epukiro,” he said.
Tjozongoro added that Katjirua was appointed councillor of the Ovambanderu in 1972 after Chief Nguvauva II requested for his services from his grandmother.
Before that, the councillor said Katjirua, accompanied Chief Nguvauva in 1968 to visit the former Ovamboland.
“He joined the powerful council of Ovambanderu, which comprises Urbanus Ndjavera, Manuel Ueriruka Ngaruka, Pieter Nguvauva, and Katiti Mbaeva, among others. He joined with Benjamin Murangi, and their immense contributions were felt by the community,” Tjozongoro said.
Katjirua, Tjozongoro said, has worked closely with Chief Munjuku Nguvauva II and went to attend the UN Lusaka conference.
The senior councillor also highlighted that Katjirua fought against the colonial oppressors and refused to join the pre-independence administration. He played a pivotal role in the recognition of the Ovambanderu as a tribe, its constitution, and against division in the community.
“Katjirua played a huge role against the invasion of Omimbonde Vitano (Ovambanderu headquarters) by the faction of Ovambanderu in Epukiro. He never wavered and took good care of this community from the difficult era until his death,” Tjozongoro said.
Freddy Ueriurika Nguvauva, the advisor to the Ovambanderu Chief Eben Tjozohongo II Nguvauva, said the passing is a big loss to the community, as Katjirua was a knowledgeable person and versatile in many aspects.
“He was never educated but knew many things and was very careful in his work. He was lecturing those who questioned him in some instances,” Nguvauva said.
Nguvauva remembered the trips he travelled with the late leader to Germany in 2011 to collect the heads of Ovambanderu, Ovaherero and Nama people who were killed during the genocide.
Among others, he remembered Katjirua for presenting an unprepared but powerful speech, which triggered the church groups in Germany to join or force the German government to sit at the table with the affected community.
“He played a tremendous role in the Joint Declaration negotiations, and sadly, he left us suddenly. But I am proud of his contribution,” said the adviser.
Nguvauva added that the late senior councillor hated disputes and division, and he always emphasised peace.
“He did this for the unification of the community and he never hid the truth,” he said.
Katjirua (82), is survived by a wife and 20 children.
The funeral arrangements are yet to be announced, in the meantime, the book of condolences was opened at the family residence in Wanaheda in Windhoek, and at all the Ovambanderu Commandos countrywide.