Justicia Shipena
President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah did not attend the official Genocide Remembrance Day commemoration held in Eenhana on Thursday.
Her absence raised eyebrows after she attended the Omaludi Agricultural Festival the previous day in the same region.
Namibia marked the day in memory of the tens of thousands of Ovaherero and Nama people killed by German colonial forces between 1904 and 1908 in what is widely recognised as the first genocide of the twentieth century.
Cabinet declared 28 May as Genocide Remembrance Day and approved it as a public holiday in 2024.
The first official commemoration took place last year at Parliament Gardens.
Just days before this year’s event, the Okandjoze Chiefs’ Assembly on Genocide (OCAG) called on the government to adopt a “business unusual” approach in dealing with genocide, apology and reparations.
Despite not attending the national commemoration, Nandi-Ndaitwah released a message stating that the government would continue engaging Germany on genocide, apology and reparations until a “just and meaningful conclusion” is reached.
“Our government, together with the affected communities, will continue to engage the Federal Republic of Germany until the matter of the genocide, apology and reparations is brought to a just and meaningful conclusion,” Nandi-Ndaitwah said.
She described the genocide as one of the darkest chapters in Namibia’s history and said the country must continue preserving the memory of those who suffered and died.
She also paid tribute to those who resisted colonial oppression.
“We also honour the courage and resistance of those who stood against colonial oppression and injustice at a time when the survival and dignity of our people were under attack,” Nandi-Ndaitwah said.
According to Nandi-Ndaitwah, the genocide and resistance against colonial rule became part of the foundation of Namibia’s liberation struggle.
“The events of that period were not isolated from the broader story of our nation. They formed part of the foundation upon which the spirit of resistance and national consciousness was built,” she said.
She said Genocide Remembrance Day should unite all Namibians.
“Genocide Remembrance Day is therefore not only important for the affected Ovaherero and Nama communities but also for all Namibians,” she said.
Nandi-Ndaitwah said the impact of the genocide continues to affect generations and Namibia remains committed to securing international recognition of the atrocities committed against the Ovaherero and Nama people.
She said Namibia wants the genocide to receive the same historical and moral recognition given to other genocides and crimes against humanity around the world.
Nandi-Ndaitwah also called on Namibians to preserve and document the country’s history.
Germany ruled Namibia from 1884 to 1915 and acknowledged the genocide in 2021.
The German government committed €1.1 billion (about N$22.5 billion) over 30 years for development projects in affected communities.
Some descendants rejected the agreement, arguing that it does not amount to reparations and excluded affected communities from negotiations.
Vice president Lucia Witbooi represented the government at the national commemoration in Eenhana, where she said the day should strengthen national unity, preserve historical truth and remind younger generations about the sacrifices made during Namibia’s resistance against colonial rule.
Witbooi said the genocide and resistance against colonialism formed part of the foundation of Namibia’s liberation struggle and eventual independence.
According to Witbooi, the genocide exposed both the brutality of colonial oppression and the resilience of Namibians who resisted dispossession and extermination.
“Their pain became our purpose. Their resistance became our foundation. Their sacrifice became the freedom of the Republic of Namibia,” she said.
She said tens of thousands of people lost their lives during the genocide.
Witbooi said Genocide Remembrance Day should also promote justice, reconciliation and social cohesion.
She called for more academic research, documentation and storytelling to preserve the history of the genocide.
“The stories, testimonies, and historical realities of the 1904–1908 Genocide must continue to find expression through books, archives, universities, museums, films, and scholarly work,” she said.
Witbooi urged artists, writers, filmmakers and musicians to continue telling Namibian stories through local perspectives.
“As Namibians, we must continue to tell our own stories through our own voices and lived experiences,” she said.
She urged Namibians to reject division and tribalism.
“Let us reject tribalism, division, hatred, and exclusion in all their forms,” she said.
Witbooi also called on Namibians to support ongoing engagements with Germany around genocide, justice and reparations.
