“Namibians unite on Genocide Remembrance Day … a sombre reflection on history, justice, unity

2026-05-29 BY LOIDE JASON
Loide Jason, Dalene Kooper, Victoria Immanuel, Otniel Hembapu, Eveline de Klerk

President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah reaffirmed Namibia’s unwavering commitment to seeking recognition, justice, and reparations for the atrocities committed during the genocide against the Nama and Ovaherero.

As Namibia marked the second national Genocide Remembrance Day yesterday, the president emphasised that the pain inflicted by these events continues to resonate across generations.

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“The pain and impact of the genocide continue to be felt generations later. As a nation, we therefore remain committed to ensuring that the atrocities committed against the Ovaherero and Nama people receive the same recognition, historical acknowledgement, and moral attention accorded to genocides and crimes against humanity committed elsewhere in the world,” she said.

She also reaffirmed ongoing engagement with the German government, underscoring Namibia’s resolve to seek a just resolution regarding the genocide, including formal apologies and reparations.

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She emphasised that the day is significant not only for affected communities but for all Namibians, as it serves as a reminder of the sacrifices made for the country’s independence and national unity. […]

Ohangwena remembers

At the Eenhana Memorial Shrine in the Ohangwena region, Vice President Lucia Witbooi led activities of the Genocide Remembrance Day commemoration, where she urged Namibians to take ownership of documenting their history.

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“As Namibians, we must continue to tell our own stories through our own voices and lived experiences, rather than depend solely on others to narrate our history on our behalf,” she stated. Witbooi highlighted the crucial role of local creatives, filmmakers, musicians, writers and storytellers in preserving the memory of the genocide, which saw the killing of over 100,000 Ovaherero and Nama between 1904 and 1908.

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The 800 Ondonga soldiers

The commemoration also included reflection on the historical involvement of the Ondonga community during the Oshikoto region’s leg of the Genocide Remembrance Day held at Ompampa yaNangolo dhAmutenya in the Olukonda constituency.

There, Ondonga King Fillemon Shuumbwa Nangolo narrated how the Ondonga community played an active role in the Ovaherero-Nama war against the Germans when they [Aandonga] deployed approximately 800 soldiers to support the conflict.

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Nangolo stressed the importance of shared history and acts of compassion, citing a case where a Herero family was sheltered by the Ondonga community during the violence. He warned against tribal divisions, urging unity and understanding among Namibians.

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Ozombuzovindimba

At Ozombuzovindimba in Omaheke’s Otjinene constituency, Prime Minister Elijah Ngurare opened his address with the song ‘Namibia, let’s unite’, which he said calls for unity of purpose on such a sacred day in the country’s history.

Ngurare was joined by Omaheke governor Pijoo Nganate, Kavango East governor Hamunyera Hambyuka and representatives of Khomas governor Sam Shafiishuna Nujoma Jr as well as the regional leadership at Ozombuzovindimba Memorial Site.

“It has not been easy to reach the stage where we are today. We should always remember that 28 May could not have been declared a public holiday had it not been for our collective resolve and efforts to address this genocidal chapter in our history. Remembrance Day should, therefore, be dedicated to the unity of the Namibian people as we soldier on towards our shared destiny as a nation,” appealed Ngurare.

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“The place where we gather here today is a place of major historic significance in our country. Ozombuzovindimba occupies a permanent place in the history of Namibia because it was here, on the 2nd of October 1904, that General Lothar von Trotha issued the first extermination order against the Ovaherero people. On the 22nd of April 1905, the same brutal Von Trotha issued an extermination order against the Nama people. The order was explicit in its intention,” he said.

Ghost of Shark Island

At Lüderitz, the traditional authority of the !Aman people joined the rest of the nation in commemorating the Genocide Remembrance Day, where they expressed support for development initiatives, including the planned harbour expansion, saying progress and development must, however, respect the memory of genocide victims.

Chief of the !Aman Traditional Authority Johannes Frederick stated that Shark Island, the site of many atrocities, remains a sacred ground and a symbol of suffering.

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At the same time, Frederick cautioned that the future of Shark Island should be approached with care, consultation and inclusivity involving all affected communities.

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The chief also appealed to churches to continue playing a role in healing, reconciliation and moral guidance, saying nation-building requires collective effort.

“We encourage our churches to continue standing in unity with government, traditional leaders, and communities as we work together toward healing, justice, peace, and national unity. The commemoration at Shark Island underscores the importance of acknowledging the painful history while fostering hope, unity, and progress,” he said.

Erongo

Furthermore, the situation was no different in Swakopmund, where chief Manasse Zeraeua of the Zeraeua Traditional Authority cautioned both Namibia and Germany against excluding affected communities from ongoing genocide negotiations, warning that any settlement reached without their direct participation would not endure.

[…] He was speaking at the genocide memorial site in Swakopmund, where hundreds of residents and descendants gathered to honour those killed during the genocide.

He said affected communities, including the Ovaherero, Nama and Ovambanderu, had not been given meaningful space in the Joint Declaration (JD) negotiations between Namibia and Germany.

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Zeraeua said he was previously part of the government delegation involved in genocide discussions but later withdrew after concluding that the process would not serve the interests of affected communities.

He is now part of the Okandjoze Chiefs’ Assembly on Genocide, a grouping of eight traditional authorities representing Ovaherero, Nama and Ovambanderu. Zeraeua said the grouping supports those opposing the JD and is calling for a national dialogue and a national conference instead.

[…] Also speaking at the commemoration is former parliamentarian Usutuaije Maamberua, who is largely credited for the existence of Genocide Remembrance Day through a motion he tabled in the National Assembly in 2016.

“We propose replacing the current bilateral model with a formal trilateral negotiation framework involving Germany, Namibia, and affected communities as equal partners,” Maamberua said.”

• Full report “Namibians unite on Genocide Remembrance Day … a sombre reflection on history, justice, unity” on the website of the New Era (last checked in May 2026).

• Note also “President Nandi-Ndaitwah’s message on Genocide Remembrance Day” in the ‘Primary Sources’ section of this website.

• See also the Joint Declaration of the Governments of Germany and Namibia in the ‘Primary Sources’ section of this website.

• Note also report “Parliament proposes ‘genocide remembrance day’” from 28 April 2016 by the Namibian in the ‘Media Reports’ section of this website.

• See also the articles “1904 December 9 – Order to erect concentration camps” and “1908 May 28 – Concentration camps officially dissolved” in the ‘Namibia’s Past’ section of this website.