By Magreth Nunuhe
WINDHOEK – Government has confirmed it will accord a state funeral to the late Paramount Chief of the Ovaherero, Kuaima Riruako, which will start with a memorial service on June 27 at Parliament Gardens.
The state burial will take place on June 29 in Okahandja where all the other chiefs of the Ovaherero are interred.
Tjiuai Kaambo, the Director of Print Media Affairs in the Ministry of Information and Communication Technology, told New Era that government preparatory committees and family of the late chief met with the Secretary to Cabinet, Frans Kapofi, on Tuesday to sort out the logistics on transport, accommodation, information and publicity, the memorial and funeral services and more.
She said the state would foot the bill for the tombstone, coffin and catering – both for the memorial and funeral services as per budget. She added that the tombstone would be standard like those at the Heroes Acre, but if the family want a different tombstone according to tradition, they can chip in to make up the difference.
Government would also provide vehicles and buses for mourners to travel to Aminuis constituency on June 20 where the late Chief Riruako hails from.
His remains will be transported to Toasis in the Aminuis constituency, to the burial site of his uncle Chief Hosea Kutako before being taken to his home at Otjongombe.
The memorial and funeral programme was not yet finalised as government and family of the Ovaherero paramount chief were still negotiating “to meet each other halfway” on how the state and traditional funeral would take place.
“There are many things to clarify in order not to twist cultural rituals as this is not a normal funeral,” she said. She confirmed that President Hifikepunye Pohamba would attend the funeral on Sunday, while Prime Minister Dr Hage Geingob, other Members of Parliament and dignitaries were expected to attend the memorial service.
Dr Hoze Riruako, the nephew and spokesperson of the Riruako family mapped out the programme for the period leading up to the final resting day of the chief on Sunday, June 29 at the sacred burial site in Okahandja.
Presently traditional rituals and other programmes are being held in Windhoek at the Ovaherero Red Flag Commando in Clemens Kapuuo Street.
After the state funeral in Windhoek, the remains of Riruako are to be taken to Okahandja on Friday June 27 for two days of mourning and rituals until the traditional burial.
Chief Riruako, 79, died on June 2 from high blood pressure complications in the Roman Catholic Hospital in Windhoek.
The late chief would be remembered for being vocal about the German genocidal war of 1904-1908 and claims for reparation.