The late Ovaherero Paramount Chief, Advocate Vekuii Rukoro is not dead but has transitioned into the afterlife and will be watching over the Ovaherero nation in its quest for genuine reparations from Germany.

This, in essence, was the general feeling that could be deduced from the hundreds of people who bade farewell to the late chief who was buried in Okahandja on Sunday, exactly a month after his demise to the novel coronavirus.

Rukoro died on 18 June, aged 66.

From Okomando No. 1 in Okahandja, down to Rukoro’s native village of Omutukururu in the Coblenz area in the Otjozondjupa Region, some 40km east of Okakarara, Namibians stood by the roadside to pay their last respects as the convoy of about 50 cars escorted the hearse carrying the paramount chief’s remains.

The convoy left Windhoek at 04h00 and arrived at Omutukururu around 07h00.

“We will remember him as a teacher, a torchbearer, philanthropist and pathfinder. He was a good servant and a good boss,” said 40-year-old Jane Kuhanga who stood by the roadside at Ombujomenje, a village that lies some 5km from Rukoro’s homestead.

Tjiuamana Tjaapo was gutted and gripped by grief.

“I am lost for words. I am perplexed. I don’t even know how to begin mourning my chief. I followed the chief around. I don’t have money. I am just an ordinary person. But in Rukoro, we found someone who made us proud to be Herero. I followed today’s programme on the radio since 04h00 until my batteries died,” Tjaapo said.

She lives at Otuvingo.

At Omutukururu, Rukoro was sent off with a seven-bullet gun salute.

Back in Okahandja as Rukoro’s remains returned from Omutukururu where he, as per the Otjiherero tradition, went so say his goodbyes to his ancestors, about 1 000 cars waited at the T-junction that divides the Karibib, Windhoek and Otjiwarongo road.

His body would then pass by Okomando No. 1 for the last time before heading to the Ovaherero heroes’ shrine where he would be committed to eternity.

At the burial site, still, it was difficult for law enforcement officers to implement COVID-19 protocols which include social distancing and a cap of 10 people for public gatherings as those in attendance wanted a piece of Rukoro and a glimpse of the proceedings.

Among those in attendance was the leader of the official opposition (PDM) McHenry Venaani who led the Ovaherero army march, Otjozondjupa Governor James Uerikua, National Unity Democratic Organisation leader, Utjiua Muinjangue, former Opuwo constituency councillor, Ngohauvi Kavetu, widow Dina Rukoro and Ovitoto Chief, Vipuira Kapuuo among others.

“Rukoro’s death should unite us. Let’s hold hands going forward as the Ovaherero people,” Uerikua said.

Meantime, Rukoro’s eldest son, Nguvitjita vowed to carry on with his father’s legacy.

“Father, I will take care of our homestead and younger siblings. I will take care of our mother, Mama Dina. When mom died, you said you would take care of us and we should count on you for our mother’s love. But you are gone now. It’s clear Mama Dina is in our lives for a reason and she will remain our mother,” said Nguvitjita.

Like his late father, Nguvitjita implored on Namibians to fight COVID-19 by taking the necessary precautions.

“Let’s avoid large crowds. This virus is real and is killing people,” the teary 29-year-old pleaded.

Buttressing the Ovaherero Traditional Authority (OTA)’s position, Kapuuo preached unity.

The OTA is not preoccupied with finding Rukoro’s successor, at least for now.

“For us that are left behind, let’s take care of one another,” he said, adding that at an appropriate time “God and our ancestors will lead us and identify a fitting candidate to replace Rukoro”.

Meanwhile, OTA secretary-general, Professor Mutjinde Katjiua thanked Namibians, friends and sympathisers who made sure Rukoro gets a befitting funeral.

At least N.dollars 350 000 was raised for the chief’s burial.

Source: Namibia Press Agency