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Home / Geingob, Pohamba to grace OvaMbanderu commemoration
Geingob, Pohamba to grace OvaMbanderu commemoration
2016-06-09Staff Report 2 "Windhoek President Hage Geingob has accepted an invitation by the OvaMbanderu Traditional Authority (OTA) to attend this weekend’s 120th commemoration of the Battle of Otjunda and the execution of the late Chief Kahimemua Nguvauva. Responding to an invitation by OTA acting chief Gerson Katjirua, Geingob said he is “humbled” by the invitation and looks forward to attending the commemoration of a significant period in the history of the country. Hundreds of OvaMbanderu people, some coming from Botswana and South Africa, will this weekend convene in Okahandja to commemorate the Battle of Otjunda in 1896 and the execution of Chief Kahimemua Nguvauva at Okahandja on June 12, 1896. Other dignitaries to attend the event are former president Hifikepunye Pohamba, the Minister of Urban and Rural Development, Sophia Shaningwa, Chief George Simasiku Mamili VII of the Mafwe Traditional Authority, Chief Tjinaani Maharero of the Maharero Royal House, and Chief Manasse Zeraeua of the Zeraeua Royal House, among others. Chief Kahimemua Nguvauva was the OvaMbanderu chief in what was then German South West Africa. He was born at Omusarakumba, 18 kilometres north of Okahandja and became leader of the OvaMbanderu in eastern Namibia. He led the OvaMbanderu community in resistance against German colonial occupation in battles at Gobabis and Otjunda in the Omaheke Region in the 1890s. Nguvauva was declared a rebel for defending their rights and property. A bounty was placed on his head and the position of chief revoked. It was at Otjunda in 1896 when the decisive battle took place. Kahimemua was captured and tortured at Kalkfontein and taken by the German forces as a prisoner to Okahandja, where he and Nicodemus Kavikunua were brutally executed by a German firing squad on June 12. The grave of Kahimemua Nguvauva is situated on an erf along Kahimemua Avenue in Okahandja. It was officially proclaimed a national monument on February 7, 1980. Speaking to New Era yesterday OTA spokesperson Uazenga Ngahahe called on the entire OvaMbanderu and sympathisers to come out in numbers to commemorate what he termed the biggest day of the OvaMbanderu people in history. “I demand everyone who is a Mbanderu to come so that we can together commemorate the death of our late heroes,” said Ngahahe. Apart from the commemoration, Ngahahe said there will be many other social activities which are currently under discussion. He said people will as of Thursday start gathering at the commando in Okahandja to start the preparations for the “big weekend”. Ngahahe further called on all other traditional authorities in the country to join in the commemoration. " 2016-06-09Staff Report 2
