“SPEECH OF OMBARA OTJITAMBI DR M KATJIUA
On the occasion of the Ovaherero Genocide Remembrance Day
under the theme:
OUR HISTORY, OUR PRESENT AND FUTURE IS IN OUR HANDS”
“[…]
We are gathered here, on this historic day the 2nd of October on which Germany declared to exterminate the Ovaherero Nation.
[…]
The Ovaherero Chiefs Council resolved that this day shall be the formal Ovaherero Genocide Remembrance Day, and not the 28th May a day on which the Ovaherero and Nama peoples were moved from the concentration camps to Slave-Labour Holding Companies as commodities to be rented out work on colonial projects.
We are standing on one of the many dumping grounds of the remains of our ancestors who died in the Swakopmund Concentration Camp and while carrying out heavy and hard slave labour.
[…]
What do this and other Genocide Cemeteries Mean to the Germans and the German State?
– For the Germans, including the Germans of the Namibian German Speakers Forum, and the German state, these cemeteries simply represent the culmination of their successful campaign to exterminate the Ovaherero and Nama peoples.
– These represent the celebration of the legacy of Kaiser Wilhelm II and of the successive German administrations as demonstrated by:
(a) the annual commemoration of Von Trotha;
(b) continuing denial of genocide, the expropriation of Hereroland and livestock
(c) and by the display of German colonial soldiers in front of the Swakopmund State House which glorify the colonial killing machine that has destroyed the lives of innocent Ovaherero.
And what do this and other Genocide Cemeteries Mean to the Genocide Victims?
– For the Ovaherero and Nama peoples, who suffered under the German’s genocidal campaign, the German state and her citizens are all equally guilty of the two genocides they committed against the Ovaherero and Nama peoples.
– German descendants in Namibia carry with them the sins of their blood-thirsty ancestors. The inter-generational wealth built from this land, the mineral resources and livestock they expropriated from our ancestors, the wealth further generated through slave labour and blood of our ancestors – all represent the undue wealth accrued to Germany and her citizens at the expense of us – the genocide victims.
– The general behaviour of German nationals in Namibia is regrettable to say the least. This is a group of arrogant rich Germans who are genocide denialists and who support the position of the German Government NOT to pay reparations.
– This behaviour cannot be tolerated for too long, and I call upon all the Ovaherero and Nama peoples to monitor this situation closely. Because one day – enough of this nonsense, will be enough!
What do this and other Genocide Cemeteries Mean to the Government of Namibia?
– The situation of the Government of Namibia over the past 34 years has been disgraceful. To be mild, this is a Government that is captured by its former colonial master. In the extreme, the Government of Namibia is either a genocide denialist or finds meaning to perpetuate the continuing impacts of genocide.
The actions of the Government of Namibia are unexpected from a government led by a liberation movement, Swapo.
– These unexpected actions include, amongst others, the following:
o No single official of the Government of Namibia has ever paid homage to the victims of genocide at the various sites where the crime of genocide was committed or where the remains of victims are found. […]
o The glaring absence of any meaningful monument at any of the six (6) concentration camps and other several holding camps across the former Hereroland and Namaqualand is surely an indication that the Government of Namibia is at odds with the history of genocide in Namibia.
The six (6) concentration camps were: two (2) in Windhoek (that is at Alte Feste – where the Government now has erected a museum in honour of the liberation struggle and the Nujoma statue), and another in front of Van Rhyn Primary School; one (1) concentration camp in Okahandja, one (1) concentration camp in Karibib – here 32 emaciated Ovaherero were burned alive, one (1) concentration camp on Shark Island, and one (1) concentration camp here in Swakopmund.
As we speak, the Shark Island Concentration Camp is under threat of erasure by Government development project, the Green Hydrogen Project meant to export gas to Germany – the very same government that is responsible for extermination of our people!
o The exclusion of the genocide histories of the Ovaherero and Nama peoples from the school curriculum in Namibia.
o The absence of Government policy that would control the continued display of colonial statues and naming of streets and objects after criminals like Von Trotha (eg. The street in Otjiwarongo), Von Lindequest (as in the case of Von Lindequist Gate of Etosha National Park) amongst others.
It is worthwhile to note that the Windhoek Municipality did well by removing the Kurt von Francois statue, but this should be replaced with appropriate STATUES representing our heroes of that time who lived in that area, such as Kaptein Hendrik Witbooi, Jan Jonker Afrikaner and Maharero kaTjamuaha!
[…]
let us not fear the moment of calling, let us not walk away from our responsibility as a generation that need to restore our history, our culture and dignity so that our children may have a better life.
May we find solace in the fearlessness of our ancestors
May we comfort ourselves that they continue to be with us and inspire us to continue the fight for restorative justice.
May we be strengthened by the knowledge of our own immense tenacity and resilience and that we shall see justice prevail some day!
Long live ! Pula! Kea le bogile!”
- Speech of OvaHerero Chief Mutjinde Katjiua “OUR HISTORY, OUR PRESENT AND FUTURE IS IN OUR HANDS” as PDF. Source: Post of the OvaHerero Traditional Authority (OTA) to the media via WhatsApp group on 2 October 2024
- Background to the extermination order by Lieutenant-General Lothar von Trotha