09 Jun 2024

 Botswana supports the Ovaherero and Nama’s campaign for restorative justice, says Vice President, Slumber Tsogwane.

Speaking at the Otjiserandu hoisting of the flag cultural ceremony in Mokobaxane on Saturday, Vice President Tsogwane noted the genocide committed by the Germans between 1904 and 1908.

“As we enjoy today’s festivities, we should also remember the victims of this heinous act, the sufferings and inhuman treatment experienced by men, women and children must not be forgotten,” he said.

The commended the role played by former Ovaherero leaders to preserve their culture and lives. 

He also paid homage to current leaders  for preserving the rich culture and history.

Praising the ceremony for providing the opportunity for the leadership and community to connect, Tsogwane said they forged a common vision and development agenda.

He said government encouraged and promoted different cultural events across the country as well as to commercialise them, noting presidential competitions and the establishment of the national arts council.

Vice President Tsogwane, who is also the area Member Parliament, said cultural tourism was also expected to benefit. Government, he said, was committed to fostering a conducive environment that promoted Botswana’s multi-culturalism.

Ovaherero chief, Professor Mutjinde Katjiua said the objective of the festival was to establish family connection and revive the Herero culture, adding that the aim was also to ensure that their diaspora participated in the campaign for restoration justice.

The campaign, he said, was not only limited to Namibians, citing Batswana, South Africans and Angolans who also had Hereros. He said they demanded reparations for Hereros and Namas, saying what happened to them was genocide and had called for dialogue between Germany and the Namibian government as well as affected communities. 

Otjiserandu national executive committee representative, Florida Kavari reiterated that the aim of the event was to revive and promote their culture.  UNESCO representative, Gloria Baitshepi said the day was testament to enduring bonds that connected the Herero to their roots and united the community regardless of distances that separated them.

She said heritage helped people to understand the past and taught them about their ancestors, culture and way of life. ENDS