“Ohamakari commemoration to proceed despite Ovaherero moratorium
2024-08-08 BY CORRESPONDENT
OPUWO – Despite the Ovaherero Traditional Authority leadership moratorium on all Herero commemorative events, certain members of the Ovaherero community will gather this weekend at Okakarara to mark the 120th anniversary of the renowned Battle of Ohamakari.
The Ohamakari commemoration is held at Okakarara every year to commemorate the eight-month battle that began on 12 January 1904, in Okahandja, when Ovaherero Paramount Chief Samuel Maharero decided he could no longer bear the oppression of his people by Imperial Germany’s settler citizens in German South West Africa.
The commemoration is scheduled for Sunday, despite a faction of the Ovaherero splinter group led by Hoze Riruako calling for the cancellation of all commemorative activities last week in order to promote peace among its members.
[…]
“We called for the cancellation of all events because, in the past, individuals have resorted to violence over trivial disputes. […].”
[…]
Tjitavi Kambausuka, the chairperson of the Okandjoze Chief Assembly on Genocide, argued that the day would be observed in accordance with Ovaherero customs.
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“We will go ahead as always, as we would equally like to keep this day out of petty politics and infights.”
[…].”
- Full news report on the website of New Era (last checked in August 2024)