OKAHANDJA – Despite murmurs of doubt by certain quarters of society, Vice President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah says government will never sell out nor deviate from its political standpoint on the genocide issue. 

She made these remarks at the 128th Ovambanderu commemoration at Okahandja on Sunday, where the community gathered to remember and pay tribute to their forebears. 

Drawing reference from the heroic deeds of past heroes such as Ovambanderu chiefs Kahimemua Nguvauva; Munjuku Nguvauva I; Munjuku Nguvauva II; and other Namibian heroes and heroines who stood firm in the face of German adversity during the colonial wars of the 20th century, Nandi-Ndaitwah said government will equally not relent or equivocate in its quest for restorative justice.

“I have always said, and I will say it here again, the German genocide committed against the Ovaherero, Ovambanderu and Nama was the most brutal and inhumane thing done to any nation during the 20th century. 

As other Namibian tribes, we felt it too – and that’s why I keep saying that this issue [genocide negotiations] is a national issue that we will resolve together as one nation. This is your government, and it was put in power by Namibians. 

So, why must we sell out our own people to the Germans? That will never happen,” she stressed.  The 1904/08 Ovaherero/Ovambanderu and Nama genocide was a campaign of ethnic extermination by the German colonial government.  It was the first genocide of the 20th century, and saw over 100 000 Ovaherero/Ovambanderu and 10 000 Namas perishing during the German onslaught, which sought to wipe the communities off the face of the earth.  The phases of the genocide which followed thereafter were characterised by widespread death from starvation and dehydration due to the prevention of the Ovaherero/Ovambanderu and Namas from leaving the Kalahari Desert by German forces. Once defeated, thousands were imprisoned in concentration camps, where the majority died from diseases, abuse and exhaustion.

It is these devastating accounts of history that Nandi-Ndaitwah said should keep all Namibians awake at night and ready to fight together until the German government formally and officially recognises, apologises and atones for the genocide it committed against Namibians.

Resolute 

She further gave the assurance that government will at no point in its conduct and political endeavours make decisions which will reverse the hard-earned gains of peace, freedom, stability, oneness and development at the expense or to the detriment of Namibians. 

“In the coming days, I will call a meeting, where I expect all our chiefs to be present so that we can come together and decide our fate as one people. The genocide matter is now with me under my office as vice president. 

“For us to succeed, unity will be key in whatever we do, and we should not allow the Germans to divide us with this issue. As said, this government is yours and was put here by you the people, so let’s hold hands and walk this path together. We are not enemies. As far as the genocide deliberations are concerned, we will never do anything to disadvantage Namibians,” Nandi-Ndaitwah, who is also known as ‘NNN’ in political circles, asserted. 

Status quo

Last month, Cabinet announced the proclamation of 28 May as the official national Genocide Remembrance Day, and it will be formally commemorated from next year.

Many political parties and traditional leaders welcomed the proclaimed Remembrance Day, and agreed it will fundamentally change the attitude and dialogue of the Namibian government with its German counterparts at the negotiations’ table. At the moment, Germany has offered 1.1 billion euros (or N$18 billion) for developmental projects in seven identified regions as reparations for genocide, which is a far cry from Namibia’s demand of N$1.1 trillion. The latter figure takes into account loss of life, dispossession of land and displacement.  Another issue which does not sit well with affected communities, the Namibian government and opposition parties, is that the proposed N$18 billion is to be paid over 30 years.  Meanwhile, talks between the two governments have seemingly hit a stalemate. 

Last year, United Nations’ special rapporteurs criticised both Namibia and Germany for allegedly violating the rights of Ovaherero and Nama ethnic minorities by excluding them from talks over reparations for colonial crimes against their ancestors.

The UN representatives called on Germany to take full responsibility for all its colonial crimes in Namibia, including mass murder.

-ohembapu@nepc.com.na