Honouring the past

Genocide Remembrance Day, observed on 28 May, is a solemn day of reflection. It commemorates the victims of the 1904–1908 genocide committed by colonial German forces against the Ovaherero and Nama peoples in what was then German South West Africa.

The day is not only about remembrance, but also about historical recognition and the continuing call for healing and justice.

The origins of the genocide are rooted in the colonial expansion of Imperial Germany at the end of the 19th century. As settlers moved into Namibian territory, tensions escalated over land, livestock and political control. In 1904, resistance by the Ovaherero, led by Samuel Maharero, was met with a military response under German commander Lothar von Trotha, whose extermination order marked the beginning of a systematic campaign of violence.

Thousands of Ovaherero were killed in battles, while many others were forced into areas where water sources were deliberately cut off.

The Nama people, led by figures such as Hendrik Witbooi, also faced mass killings, imprisonment and forced labour.

Genocide Remembrance Day was formally commemorated for the first time in 2025 as part of broader efforts to confront colonial-era injustices.

Why 28 May

While still debated by some, the date itself marks the closing of the concentration camp on Shark Island in 1907, one of the most notorious detention sites where thousands of Nama people died due to starvation, disease and forced labour.

The day also carries a strong political and diplomatic dimension.

The Namibian government continues to engage with Germany on issues of historical responsibility, including recognition of the genocide and discussions around reparations and development support. In 2021, both countries reached an agreement acknowledging the genocide, though it remains a subject of debate within affected communities.

Beyond politics, the day is deeply personal for many Namibians. It is a reminder of generational trauma, displacement and the loss of land and cultural heritage. Yet, it also reflects resilience; the survival of communities that continue to preserve language, identity and tradition despite the attempt to erase them.

While the wounds of the past remain, 28 May stands as a day of unity in remembrance. It acknowledges pain, but also affirms dignity and survival. For Namibia, it is both a historical reckoning and a continuing commitment: That such violence must never be repeated, and that memory remains central to building a more just future.