Eba Kandovazu
The genocide perpetuated against the Ovaherero and Nama people by Germany has a permanent negative impact on all Namibians.
Thus, Deputy Prime Minister, Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, says discussions should not be based on selective morality and harbour an illusion that there are some Namibians who did not suffer the pain of genocide. “It must be underscored that the Germany imperial genocide has made a permanent negative impact on all Namibians as this nation is inseparable, since we are bonded together by our blood. The actions of imperial Germany by uprooting people from their places of birth has created a situation whereby to date many are faced with the situation of identity of their historical roots. With this historical reality, we have to accept that we are one Namibian nation, “Nandi-Ndaitwah says.
According to her, genocide by its nature has far-reaching implications on the population and economic growth, saying that it continues to negatively impact on the population and economic development.
Nandi-Ndaitwah adds that during the closing debate on 26 October 2006, Chief Kuaima Riruako, as the mover of the 2006 Genocide Motion, urged those of who were members of August House at the time to adopt the motion as tabled, since by so doing Parliament would have discharged a historic responsibility towards the Namibian people.
“I can confidently speak for many of the Honourable Members of that August House, that looking back we can be proud to have discharged that historical responsibility, in the manner we did it, and adopted the motion unanimously. Many Namibians, both in this House as well as through other platforms, have put forward numerous legal arguments on matters of genocide and reparation. However, they need to be reminded of the negotiation mandate as per National Assembly 2006 Resolution, to try and resolve this matter amicably, and thereby strengthening and solidifying the existing excellent relationship between Germany and Namibia, “she says.
After the 2006 motion was passed, she says, the Namibian government, immediately started to engage Germany, although the progress on the matter was stalled by the seeming lack of readiness on the side of Germany to engage openly. “A breakthrough only came in 2015, following relentless diplomatic efforts from our side as a Government, after which the German government agreed to come to the negotiations table. When His Excellency President Hage Geingob took over the reins of Government, one of the first undertakings of his administration was to constitute the structure and strategies for engaging the German government, on the basis of the terms of the 2006 Namibian Nation Assembly Genocide Resolution, “Nandi-Ndaitwah explains.
