Charles Tjatindi
27 August 2008
Okahandja — The Deputy Minister of Regional and Local Government, Housing and Rural Development, Kazenambo Kazenambo, says while Government acknowledges and respects the plea of the Ovaherero people for German reparations, it also has a moral obligation to protect the descendants of those that had committed atrocities against the Ovaherero people, in the interest of the rule of law.
In a strongly worded statement at the recent 85th annual commemoration of the Red Flag here, Kazenambo expressed concern over the pace at which the German government is reacting to settling issues pertaining to reparations or the call for dialogue on the issue. He said the German government's stance does little to ease the pain of the Ovaherero descendants whose ancestors were almost annihilated by German colonial occupation.
"A hungry man cannot be stopped by diplomacy if he wants to vent his frustrations. People do not eat diplomacy. They want back what is rightfully theirs," he said.
Kazenambo noted that even though the paradigm shift is now changing towards unity of purpose between the German perpetrators and the Ovaherero people, it is also time to confront challenges and make Germany acknowledge the deeds committed against the Ovaherero and Nama people.
"Wealth was acquired at the barrel of a gun in this country by German colonial forces at that time, something which unfortunately still has a bearing on the means and ways of life for most Namibians today. We call on the German government to read the mood and act now, as they are sitting on a time bomb," he said.
Choosing to abstain from political speeches, the Ovaherero Paramount Chief Kuaima Riruako called on all Ovaherero to unite for a common purpose, and abstain from unnecessary tension amongst themselves.
"We should guard against jealousy and disunity as the enemy will be standing aside laughing at us while taking on each other for selfish gains. This country belongs to all of us, therefore we should try to live in peace with one another," he said.
As is custom, a traditional priest led the delegation of Ovaherero and other members of the public to the gravesites of fallen ancestors at dawn last Sunday, where they pleaded with them for good fortunes, rain and good health for all.
Traditional cultural cavalry and infantry troops with an interesting blend of warrior songs added splendour to the day. The colourful bright red, green and white attire worn by women, who joined to march to the gravesites from the Red Flag Commando perfectly complemented each other, setting the tone for the day.
Samuel Maharero attended a local Lutheran school, where he was seen as a potential priest. When his father died in 1890, he gained the chieftainship in the area of okahandja.
Initially, he maintained fairly good relations with the german colonial administration under Theodor Leutwein. However, increasing problems involving attacks by the Germans, economic difficulties and pests, and the use of Herero land for railroads strained the relations.
Maharero secretly planned a revolt with other chiefs against the German presence. Initial attacks that began on january 12, 1904, were successful and involved the killing of several germans. Leutwein was replaced as military leader by lothar von trotha, who brought 15 000 troops and created a bounty of 5 000 marks for the capture of maharero. The ovaherero fighters were destroyed at the battle of waterberg, or ohamakari on august 11, 1904. Those who survived were driven into the kalahari desert.
Maharero succeeded to lead some of his people into the british bechuanaland protectorate (today botswana).
He remained leader of the exiled ovaherero until his death in 1923. On august 23, 1923, his remains were returned to okahandja and were ceremoniously re-buried, culminating in the annual commemoration.
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