By Kae Matundu-Tjiparuro
OZOMBU ZOVINDIMBA
Beyond any doubt, women were an integral and wholesome part of Namibia’s liberation struggle, says Education Deputy Minister, Dr Becky Ndjoze-Ojo.
Ndjoze-Ojo spoke on the role of women during the 1904-8 resistance struggle at the 103rd commemoration of the Extermination Order by Imperial Germany against the Ovaherero.
The commemoration took place over the weekend here, 20 km east of Otjinene in the Omaheke Region. Ozombu Zovindimba has been so named following the 1904-8 war and especially the poisoning of waterholes from which thousands of Ovaherero succumbed.
Taking to war-time prose and praising in Otjiherero with poetic mastery and ease,
Ndjoze-Ojo recalled the role women played in the resistance war. “Avitupuka, avitupuka, avikukuna. Avikamunika omahurio zombaze,” she said, quoting a war time heroine, Kenatja of the rain related lineage, Ovakwenambura, as she spurred on her fellow male warriors not to surrender and run away and the inner of their feet to be seen as they run away.
“Umba Kakujahere Kongombe ja Kazu Otjindumbu,” – yet another clarion call to keep on firing – was directed to Kakujahere who was famous for his red cow.
Ndjoze-Ojo went on to say that the role of women in the liberation struggle could not be looked at in isolation from that of their male counterparts and was thus one and the same.
“In our folklore, we are told of stories where women would jump over the bodies of their beloved husbands and sons as they encouraged their husbands and sons to fight to the finish,” said the deputy minister.
On the backdrop of a protracted and bitter war in which Namibians in their diversity triumphed, she cautioned against disunity.
“The way forward of these commemorative events, e.g. at Okahandja, Omaruru, Omukuruvaro, Okeseta, Omungulugwabashe should at all times be geared towards unity, stronger unity and greater unity,” she said in an apparent reference to the 103rd commemoration of the Extermination Order here and vice versa which coincided with the commemoration of White Flag Day in Omaruru the same day. Calling for the ironing out of differences for the common good, Ndjoze-Ojo cautioned against being “used as pawns in the game of chess”.
Speaking at the same occasion, Congress of Democrats President and Parliamentarian Ben Ulenga, called on the Government to have a proper agenda for dialogue on the Ovaherero reparations.
Instead of the Ovaherero being the barbaric one as they were referred to by the German imperial authorities then because of their refusal to submit to German rule and occupation of their land, Ulenga pointed at the Germans as having been barbaric for refusing to enter into a ceasefire with the Ovaherero.
Ulenga said the struggle for reparations was no longer an issue of the Ovaherero alone but was a national concern because the Namas, Damaras and San people were also killed.
Ulenga assured the Ovaherero Paramount Chief, Kuaima Riruako, that the Congress of Democrats would support him until the German government guarantees Namibians compensation for the genocide it committed against them.
Speaking on behalf of Swanu President Rihupisa Kandando, Usutuaije Maamberua said the State is responsible for the health, welfare and standard of living as well as the prosperity of the entire Namibian nation.
These include also the descendants of the victims of war. It does not matter whether it is a Swanu, Swapo, Nudo or any other party in power today but the State has such a responsibility.
He said if the State has responsibility for the entire Namibian nation, then the cause for reparations by descendants of those who succumbed to war should also be the responsibility of the State. This should not be the responsibility of an individual or that of those whose parents died in the war alone.
Maamberua said the wealth of this country must also be used to help the Ovaherero in their quest for reparations. He added that 103 years later there is not even a shelter here to shield the commemorators from the sun. He also lamented the absence of a monument here and appealed to the State to build the mother of all monuments here.
Maamberua also wanted to know why the date 2nd of October on which the Extermination Order was issued has not been noted in the Namibian calendar. He added this day must be declared a national holiday together with other national holidays.
He said evidence of the Ovaherero war against the Germans, like the remains of people and ammunition, were scattered all over. He advised that in a liberated country, the State gathers all these materials for preservation in a museum for the future generations.