Hundreds of descendants of the Ovaherero and Nama communities are set to march to the German Embassy in Gaborone, Botswana, on Monday, to press Germany for recognition of their losses and reparations for a colonial-era genocide that occurred in what is now Namibia. The march, led by Professor Mutjinde Katjiua, the paramount chief of the Ovaherero, and Rev. Rupert Hambira, chairman of the Ovaherero Genocide Foundation in Botswana, aims to draw attention to the ongoing impact of the atrocities on the communities.
The demonstration follows a similar action in Pretoria, South Africa, where Ovaherero representatives presented a petition to the German Embassy last Friday. According to Rev. Hambira, the delegation will include representatives from Namibia and about 80 other participants. The United Congregational Church of Southern Africa has offered to host the visitors, a gesture Mr. Hambira described as a welcome show of solidarity.
At the heart of the dispute is Germany's decision to negotiate primarily with the Namibian government, rather than directly with representatives of the communities affected by the violence. Rev. Hambira described this approach as "childish and unprofessional." He emphasized that the descendants of those killed or driven from their homes must have a meaningful role in discussions about the genocide and any resulting reparations.
The Ovaherero and Nama communities in Botswana continue to bear the consequences of the atrocities, including the loss of property, language, and cultural traditions. Rev. Hambira argued that nothing can be done for the communities without their involvement and that they need to be present to present their case. The communities are demanding some form of reparations for what happened and a greater role in negotiations.
The march and petition delivery are part of a broader effort by the Ovaherero and Nama communities to seek recognition and redress for the genocide, which took place from 1904 to 1908 in German South West Africa, the colonial territory that later became Namibia. German forces waged a campaign of extermination after the Ovaherero and Nama resisted colonial rule, resulting in tens of thousands of deaths and the displacement of many others.
Germany formally acknowledged in 2015 that the killings constituted genocide, but the admission did not settle the questions of representation, responsibility, and reparations. The Namibian government has maintained that it should negotiate with Germany on behalf of those affected, while Ovaherero and Nama traditional leaders and advocacy groups have rejected that position, insisting that survivors' descendants and recognized community representatives must have a seat at the negotiating table.
The Botswana Genocide Foundation, established by Ovaherero and Nama communities in Botswana, will campaign for reparations from Germany and seek a greater role for descendants in negotiations. After the petition is delivered, Professor Katjiua is expected to hold a news conference at the U.C.C.S.A. Broadhurst Church in Gaborone.
Key points
- The Ovaherero and Nama communities are demanding recognition and reparations for the colonial-era genocide in Namibia.
- Germany's decision to negotiate primarily with the Namibian government has been rejected by the Ovaherero and Nama communities.
- The march and petition delivery aim to intensify pressure on Germany to engage directly with affected communities and address demands for reparations.
