OvaHerero Commemoration ‘Otjiserandu’ in Okahandja

17 July to 19 July 2026 (Friday to Sunday)

Commemoration ‘Otjiserandu’ in Okahandja, 17 to 19 July 2026. Organiser: OvaHerero Traditional Authority (OTA) of Paramount Chief Hozé Riruako.  Poster: OTA

Information as per programme by the organisers, OvaHerero Traditional Authority (OTA) of Paramount Chief Hozé Riruako:

‘Let’s water our tree of life, through which we can resurrect the Herero nation.’

OTJISERANDU

‘Our Nation is paying Tribute to our Fallen High Priest / Ondangere & The Lion / Ongejama.’

Okahandja Red Flag Commemorative Day

17th to 19th July 2026.

Friday – 17th July 2026

08:00 – …
Arrival of all delegates in Okahandja.

Saturday – 18th July 2026

07:00
Arrival of PC – Horses & Trumpet Herse.

08:00 – 08:30
Announcements – MC – Mr. T. B. Uahongora / Mr. Mbanjanda Vekarapi.

08:30 – 09:00
Scripture Reading & Prayer – Reverend Ndàndona Tjivasera.

09:00 – 09:30
Official Opening – Field Marschall Mr. B. Mbariko.

09:30 – 09:50
Welcoming Remarks – Mayor of Okahandja, Her Worship Ms. Ilena Mutumbulwa.

09:50 – 10:20
Observation / Speech Okahandja – Constituency Councillor Hon. Betuel Tjivii Tjaveondja.

10:20 – 11:00
Speech by the Regional Governor Hon. John Julius ǁKhamuseb.

11:00 – 12:00
Peace / Unity & Faith: Individual Prayers, Combined Prayers – All Congregations Prayers, Spearheaded by Pastor Jacob Soppies Tjaveondja.

12:00 – 12:30
Parade Troops & Horses Parade from all Houb Commandos – G.O Gotlieb Mbinge & G.O. Uaaka.

12:30 – 13:00
Ozombara Zomuhoko / Ovahona vo Tjiserandu – Ozombara Zomuhoko / Ovahona vo Tjiserandu.

13:00 – 14:00 – LUNCH BREAK

14:20 – 16:00
High Profile Meeting – All masses PC Dr. Hozé Riruako & Patrone Mr. Ben Zaaruka.

16:00 – 17:00
Parade Troops & Horses Parade from all Houb Commandos – G.O Gotlieb Mbinge & G.O. Uaaka.

17:00 – 17:20
Official Closure of the Official Program – Field Marshall Matheus Hukura.

19:00 – 20:00
Okoronjara Meeting / PC Meeting with the Diaspora – All Houb Commandos.

20:00 – …
Ongangura – Omaimburiro – Omuhiva & Outjina – Competition
Venue: Organize Tent at the Red Flag Regiment Commando Number 1 Premises.

SUNDAY – 19th July 2026

06:00
Assemble at the Red Flag Regiment Commando Number One.

06:00 – 07:00
Official Opening & Announcements MC – Mr. T. B. Uahongora / Uanee Haukambe, Matundu Tjahuha.
Inspections of Troops – Parade PC Dr. Hoze Riruako.

07:00 – 12:00
Departure & Arrival from the Cemetery, Traditional High Priests Ozondangere – Ondangere Mbajoroka Kambausuka, Ondangere Omuiingona, Katjimune Ondangere Viakondo, High Priest Mbaundja.

12:00 – 12:30
Welcoming Remarks Fieldmarshall Kuseueendo Kambirongo.
Speech

12:30 – 13:00
Speech by Paramount Chief PC Dr. Hozé Riruako.

13:00 – 13:20
Vote of Thanks/ Closing Remarks Patrone Ben Zaaruka.

13:30 – 14:30 – LUNCH BREAK

14:30 – DEPARTURE OF ALL DELEGATES FROM OKAHANDJA.

Paramount Chief Hozé Riruako (in blue uniform in the centre of the first row) of OvaHerero Traditional Authority (OTA) heading the procession to the OvaHerero graves in Okahandja. The procession took place on Sunday 19 July 2026, the last day of the two-day Commemoration ‘Otjiserandu’. Photo: Sven-Eric Stender

Paramount Chief Hozé Riruako (in blue uniform) of OvaHerero Traditional Authority (OTA) at OvaHerero graves in Okahandja. The procession took place on Sunday 19 July 2026, the last day of the two-day Commemoration ‘Otjiserandu’. Photo: Sven-Eric Stender

Tent at the assembly point of the OvaHerero Traditional Authority (OTA) under Paramount Chief Hozé Riruako in Okahandja. Between 150 and 200 OvaHerero were present at the speeches on the last day of the Commemoration ‘Otjiserandu’. Photo: Sven-Eric Stender

• See the programme for the OvaHerero Commemoration ‘Otjiserandu’, 17 to 19 July 2026, by the OTA under Paramount Chief Hozé Riruako.

• Find the script of the speech of OTA Paramount Chief Hozé Riruako for Sunday afternoon 19 July 2026. Note that Riruako deviated from his prepared speech.

• Note also report “OvaHerero leader urges cultural preservation” from 20 July 2026 by national broadcaster NBC in the ‘Media Reports’ section of this website.

• See also the ‘OvaHerero Commemoration Day’ in Okahandja, 24 to 26 July 2026, by the OvaHerero Traditional Authority (OTA) under rivalling Paramount Chief Mutjinde Katjiua, in the ‘Perspectives’ section of this website.

Editor’s note:

The date of the commemoration ‘Otjiserandu’ (Red Flag) refers to the day of Paramount Chief Hosea Kutako’s passing. Kutako died on 18 July 1970 at the age of 100 in the Aminuis Reserve (see also the Wikipedia article, that may contain unverified information).

The OvaHerero Traditional Authority (OTA) under rivalling Paramount Chief Mutjinde Katjiua originally scheduled its ‘OvaHerero Commemoration Day’ on the same weekend. To avoid conflict, Katjua’s faction postponed it to the following weekend, 24 to 26 July 2026.

The event premises of the two OTA factions are located at the road behind the shopping centre west of the bypass. They are right next to each other.

The original annual Red Flag commemoration was held on a weekend close to 26 August. Established and driven by late Paramount Chief Hosea Kutako, it commemorated the burial of the mortal remains of Paramount Chief Samuel Maharero.

Samuel Maharero died on 14 March 1923 in exile in Serowe, Bechuanaland (today Botswana). His remains were repatriated to South West Africa (today Namibia) and interred in Okahandja from 23 to 26 August 1923 (see also the article on Wikipedia, that may contain unverified information).

The procession of the original Red Flag Commemoration first visited the graves of Samuel Maharero, his father Kamaharero and his grandfather Tjamuaha. The key to the now redesigned burial sites is apparently held by the Royal House Maharero. Neither of the two OTA factions visited these burial sites during their processions.