Annual Genocide Memorial Walk 2026 – NTLA
Annual Genocide Memorial Walk 2026 – NTLA
• Annual Genocide Memorial Walk 2026 – NTLA •
As per announcement of the event on Facebook by the organiser, Nama Traditional Leaders Association (NTLA):
Annual Genocide Memorial Walk
10 April to 12 April 2026, in Lüderitz, Karas Region
“The NTLA is delighted to announce that we will host Professor Joshua Castellino at the Annual Genocide Memorial Walk in Luderitz, Shark Island from 10-12 April.
Prof Castellino through Minority Groups International, and Wolfgang Kaleck through European Center for Human Rights, together with Society for Threatened People, have been instrumental in providing pro bono legal support to NTLA since 2018 and amplifying the voices of the Nama people in UN and AU legal mechanisms.
Joshua will share with us the 8 year difficult journey we walked together to bring the voices of the Nama people to the United Nations Special Rapporteurs.”
Saturday, 11 April 2026 – “Genocide Day Commemoration & Hands Off Shark Island Campaign”
5.00 a.m. – Gathering at the entrance to Shark Island for procession to and rituals at Gaob Cornelius Frederick Memorial
7.00 a.m. – Gathering at Lüderitz Cemetery for procession to Shark Island
Sunday, 12 April 2026 – Memorial Service
7.00 a.m. – Gathering at Shark Island for the Memorial Service
Contact: NTLA
There are additional events planned as from 8 April 2026, still to be confirmed.
Thursday, 9 April 2026, 18.30 – Opening of exhibition (9 to 12 April 2026), as per post on NTLA’s Facebook page:
“The Argentinian Artist Marcelo Brodsky, in collaboration with the NTLA, and in partnership with ECCHR and Forensic Architecture, will premiere this masterpiece of artwork titled TRACES OF VIOLENCE at the Luderitz Waterfront on Thursday, 9 April 2026 at 18.30. The Luderitz community is invited to the Exhibition. The exhibition will also be premiered in Mariental and Keetmanshoop.”
Editor’s notes:
On 12 April 1893 the German Schutztruppe under commander Curt von Francois attacked Hornkranz / Hoornkrans west of Rehoboth. It was the settlement of Oorlam-Nama Kaptein Hendrik Witbooi, who refused to accept German supremacy by signing a ‘Schutzvertrag’ (Protection Treaty). The German soldiers killed about 80 Witbooi Naman including dozens of women and children.
For background on the ‘Hands Off Shark Island Campaign’, see “Call for port extension to be halted as genocide remains are found on Shark Island – Namibian 08-05-2024” in the ‘Media Reports’ Section of this website.
For the ‘United Nations Special Rapporteurs’ as mentioned in the announcement, see “United Nations (23-02-2023): OHCHR – Joint Communication Special Rapporteurs Joint Declaration” in the ‘Primary Sources’ section of this website.
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