Swanu wishes to support and encourage the German experts, intellectuals and the public which is demanding an apology for the genocide committed against our people in Namibia from the German government. We demand that a formal apology by the German government be issued immediately. In Namibia we call on all sectors of Namibia society to join the struggle for the demand of reparations, in particular we are calling on all political parties including the ruling party Swapo to express itself on this matter. We are calling on all the trade unions, the Council of Churches of Namibia, the Council of Traditional Leaders and all NGOs to join this struggle.
Outside Namibia we are calling on the international community including United Nations, African Union and SADC to express themselves on this issue and to support our demand for reparations.
I take this opportunity to congratulate all those who participated in the return of the skulls and other remains as this was a noble and patriotic act by all who were involved.
In this regard Namibia’s mission should be to reach compensation/reparations and to return all 4000 – 6000 skulls from Germany. We should therefore not allow ourselves as a nation to be derailed along this very difficult and odious journey.
Similarly, Namibia cannot sit idle hoping that Germany will initiate negotiations/dialogue on reparations. For the fact that reparations are State responsibility, we call on the Head of State, President Geingob to start broad based consultations with the affected communities (Nama / Herero) that will start to engage the German government immediately.
Usutuaije Maamberua
Windhoek