Sostenus Wilherm
The Popular Democratic Movement (PDM) has challenged Namibia’s National Honours Advisory Committee to broaden the country’s national narrative, warning against what it views as the selective recognition of those who contributed to the struggle against colonialism, apartheid and foreign domination.
In an open letter dated 28 August 2026 and addressed to National Honours Advisory Committee chairperson Annely Haiphene, PDM president McHenry Venaani called for a comprehensive review of historically significant Namibians who may have been overlooked in the country’s national honours system.
Venaani argued that Namibia’s history did not begin with the armed liberation struggle and should not be confined to one political organisation, generation or tradition.
“A nation must know where it comes from. Namibia’s history did not begin in 1966, nor did our struggle for freedom belong to one organisation, one generation or one political tradition. The National Honours Advisory Committee therefore has a responsibility to ensure that the national honours system reflects the full history of the Namibian people,” Venaani said in the letter.
The PDM leader said Namibia’s history of resistance includes traditional leaders, diplomats, political activists, petitioners, church leaders and individuals who took personal risks in opposing colonial and apartheid rule.
Among those Venaani believes deserve greater recognition is Gaob Kai Xamseb of the Khomas region, who resisted German colonial expansion and was ultimately beheaded by colonial authorities.
“Consider Gaob Kai Xamseb of the Khomas region, who belonged to a generation that resisted German colonial expansion and was ultimately beheaded by the colonial authorities. In 2023, Parliament debated a motion calling for Kai Xamseb and other traditional leaders of the colonial resistance period to be recognised,” Venaani said.
He argued that the contribution of traditional leaders cannot be ignored simply because their resistance came before the emergence of modern political movements associated with Namibia’s independence struggle.
The PDM also wants greater recognition of Namibia’s diplomatic battle for freedom, saying the country’s liberation was fought not only through armed resistance but also in international institutions.
Venaani pointed to the roles played by Chief Hosea Kutako and Chief Clemens Kapuuo in taking the Namibian question beyond the country’s borders, including efforts to challenge South Africa’s attempt to incorporate South West Africa.
“Namibia’s liberation was not achieved only on the battlefield. It was also fought through petitions, diplomacy and international mobilisation. Chief Hosea Kutako and Chief Clemens Kapuuo were central to taking Namibia’s case beyond our borders. Namibians petitioned international institutions and challenged South Africa’s attempt to incorporate South West Africa. The historical record of the United Nations preserves this diplomatic struggle,” Venaani said.
He also named Hans Beukes, Jariretundu Kozonguizi and Mburumba Kerina as key figures in internationalising Namibia’s struggle.
“Men such as Hans Beukes, Jariretundu Kozonguizi and Mburumba Kerina played important roles in internationalising the Namibian question. These were not spectators to Namibia’s history. They were actors in it,” Venaani said.
Venaani further called attention to resistance that took place inside Namibia, saying political courage was demonstrated in communities, churches and homes, not only in political offices or military camps.
He referred to Kephas Conradie and resistance linked to the Old Location, while also highlighting church leaders who provided shelter and support to those involved in the struggle.
According to Venaani, Bishop Assaria Cleophas Kamburona sheltered founding President Sam Nujoma at his house in Gobabis before Nujoma went into exile.
“Resistance did not always come from a political office or military camp. Sometimes it came from a church, a home, a community or an individual who was prepared to take a personal risk. That history must also be recognised,” Venaani said.
The PDM leader also questioned the lack of recognition for Levy Karora Nganjone, whom he said was sent by the Chiefs’ Council under the instruction of Chief Clemens Kapuuo to travel by bicycle from Opuwo to Ondangwa to investigate the house arrest of Andimba Toivo ya Toivo.
Venaani said Nganjone carried out dangerous political work and was involved in recruiting figures including Hage Geingob and Libertine Amadhila into the political struggle.
“We cannot recognise only those whose names became prominent later while forgetting those who helped build the political networks that made later mobilisation possible,” Venaani said.
The party also raised the history of 154 Namibians who went into exile under the leadership of Kuaima Riruako and Muvi Tjiho.
Venaani said many received military training in Ethiopia and elsewhere in preparation for the liberation struggle.
The PDM also highlighted the history surrounding Reverend Michael Scott and the 1947 petition, naming Katjikuru Katjiuongua, Kauhuepuku Kehengava, Kapere and others as people whose contributions should receive greater historical attention.
Venaani stressed that his call was not aimed at removing honours already granted or diminishing SWAPO’s contribution to Namibia’s independence.
“Let me be clear. I am not calling for the removal of a single honour already conferred. I am not asking Namibia to diminish the contribution made by SWAPO to the country’s independence,” he said.
He warned against allowing any single political tradition to become the sole custodian of Namibia’s history.
“Recognition of one political tradition must not require the silence of another. No political party should become the sole custodian of Namibia’s history. History belongs to the Namibian people,” Venaani said.
The PDM has now called on the National Honours Advisory Committee to undertake a broader historical review involving the National Archives, Parliament, universities, traditional authorities, churches, descendants and communities.
He said Namibia had an opportunity to correct historical omissions and ensure that the country’s national story reflects the contributions of all those who helped build the road to freedom.
“A country should never lie about its own history. Let us therefore honour the people who built the road to our freedom – not selectively, not according to political convenience, but according to the historical record,” Venaani said.
