Stefanus Nashama and Hilarius Hamutenya
The minister of defence and veterans affairs, Frans Kapofi, commissioned a committee for the exhumation and reinterment of the remains of martyrs of the liberation struggle on Thursday.
According to the minister, the committee will be headed by former commander, Major General Charles Namoloh, who led the People’s Liberation Army of Namibia (PLAN) on the battlefield.
Other members of the committee include Colonel (retired) David Ndatipo, Ericas Ndalikokule, Apollo Bassenero, Elvis Handura, Penofina Eises and Timoteus Mashuna.
“Several years ago, the government mandated the Ministry of Defence and Veterans Affairs to ensure that the history of the struggle for national liberation is preserved and kept alive for the present and future generations. Thus, the ministry was directed to ensure that the remains of former PLAN combatants that are buried in shallow graves or some unburied all over the former operational areas in Namibia are accorded dignified burials at the existing memorial sites or any other identified burial sites that would be properly zoned, securely preserved, and maintained,” said Kapofi.
He said the committee will guarantee the dignified burial of these fallen heroes and heroines, allowing their souls to rest in peace.
“I should indicate that the task ahead of you will not be an easy one. You will be travelling long distances and, at times, negotiating uncompromising terrain, but don’t despair. You will be doing this for the love of your country and in honour of our fallen comrades,” he said.
Kapofi added that shortly after independence, the idea to honour fallen heroes and heroines began, leading to the construction of the Heroes’ Acre, Eenhana Shrine, Omugulugombashe, and Ondeshifilwa monuments.
He explained that this is why some of the martyrs’ graves in the country’s villages and forests still have tombstones on them.
“On this note, I would like to express my profound gratitude to community members who, even in the absence of financial means, ensured that the graves of our martyrs were taken care of,” stated the minister.
According to Kapofi, the government carried out a pilot study in 2012 to locate martyrs’ graves and found that it was necessary to exhume the martyrs’ remains and bury them at specific shrines or burial sites, which is why we are here today.
“This Committee should now ensure that the aforementioned directive is implemented as a matter of urgency,” he said.
