Tributes have continued to pour in for the late chief Simon Petrus Kooper of the Kai-// Khaun tribe at Hoachanas.

Kooper, who was also chairperson of the Nama Traditional Leaders Association (NTLA), died last week after a short illness. 

He was 72.

Northern Cape Khoi and San leaders Gaob Paul Swartbooi last week said Kooper served diligently as chairperson of NTLA.

He said Kooper’s death is indeed a great loss to the Kai-//Khaun tribe and the Nama communities at large.

“Goab Kooper played a pivotal role in the structure that he led during his tenure,” he said.

“We will forever remember his countless contribution to the struggle of all the Nama people, and his memories will forever live on in our minds and hearts.”

Ovaherero Genocide Foundation chairperson Nandiuasora Mazeingo said: “It is truly a sad day for our movement and struggle. Sure, they say leaders perish but ideas inspiring a whole people remain in near perpetuity, but our Gaob, leader PSM Kooper, was a man unrivalled on many levels”.

With unparalleled charisma and oratory like none other, Mazeingo said Kooper stood firm, tall and unbridled in spurring the genocide cause forward.

“We were never orphans because he spoke all truth to power and was a sheltering figure around whom we all coalesced to soldier forward our just cause. His ideals, times and the work he leaves behind shall never die. We not only owe it to him, late PC Rukoro and Gaob Afrikaner, amongst others, but ourselves to take it forward – that is our solemn commitment to him and our movement,” Mazeingo said.

Kooper, who had been very vocal alongside the late paramount chief Vekuii Rukoro on the exclusion of the Nama and Ovaherero communities from the ongoing 1904 to 1908 genocide reparation negotiations, was installed as chief in 2013.