Windhoek: The spokesperson of the Ovambanderu Traditional Authority, Uazenga Ngahahe, has confirmed that the Ovambanderu community will participate in the inaugural Genocide Remembrance Day commemoration. The event is scheduled to be held at Parliament Gardens in Windhoek on Wednesday.

According to Namibia Press Agency, Ngahahe's announcement comes amidst calls from some affected communities to boycott the official commemoration. These calls cite issues such as historical inaccuracies, exclusion from the programme, and unresolved demands for restorative justice. Despite these concerns, Ngahahe emphasized that the Ovambanderu community will not shy away from commemorating a day that honors their ancestors who suffered under German colonial rule.

Ngahahe highlighted the significance of the day by recalling the massacre of the Ovambanderu people by the Germans in 1894, during which their chief, Kahimemua Nguvauva, was executed. Chief Nguvauva was shot 12 times before his death, marking a tragic chapter in the community's history. Following this, German authorities forcibly placed the Ovambanderu under Ovaherero leadership, an act that continues to be a painful memory for the community.

Addressing concerns about the exclusion of some affected communities from the event's official programme, Ngahahe noted that Chief Immanuel Gaseb, chairperson of the Council of Traditional Authorities, will deliver a speech on behalf of all affected communities. Ngahahe stressed the importance of unity, stating, 'There's no way he will speak without coordinating with the communities concerned. This day should unify us, and it does no good to focus on who is superior to whom.'

Ngahahe also noted that as this is the first commemoration, it is primarily organized by the government, but future commemorations may take different forms, similar to other national days. He further revealed that Ovambanderu members from Botswana are already traveling for the occasion and urged those unable to attend the main event to commemorate the day at their respective commandos across Namibia, South Africa, Botswana, and abroad.

As part of the programme, the Ovambanderu women's cultural group Ongombe Ongohoke from Eiseb Block, along with poet Kakomee Tjeja, are set to perform. The Ovambanderu community also plans to remain behind after the official programme to continue their own commemorations at Parliament Gardens.