All set for Mandume centenary
The centenary of the death of the legendary and enigmatic Mandume Ya Ndemufayo will take place next weekend.
President Hage Geingob is expected to lead the centenary commemoration of the death of one of Namibia's most feisty kings, Mandume Ya Ndemufayo.
The four-day centenary commemoration will take place from next week Friday at the palace of the Queen of Ovakwayama Mwadinomho Martha Kristian Nelumbu at Omhedi in the Ohangwena Region.
The events will stretch to Monday, 6 February, with the queen leading a delegation for the wreath-laying ceremony at Oihole, in the Cunene Province of Angola.
Mandume died at Oihole while in combat at the tender age of 23 in 1917 – just six years after he ascended the throne of the Ovakwanyama Kingdom.
Former presidents Sam Nujoma and Hifikepunye Pohamba have also confirmed their attendance according to the organisers, as well as other high-ranking officials, including traditional leaders from different parts of the country.
A glittering line-up of speakers will pay tribute to King Mandume who is revered as a national hero in both Namibia and Angola during the four-day event.
The organisers say everything is in place to host the thousands of people who will be flocking to the event.
“Everything is in order. The security is in place and we are ready to serve our guests,” one of the organisers Philip Hikumwah told Namibian Sun yesterday.
Hikumwah emphasised that the centenary event was not only an occasion for the Ovakwanyama people, but for all Namibians.
“The queen has dedicated this event to the youth of this country and it is important that we should study and acquaint ourselves with the history of our heroes like King Mandume. This is not an event for the Ovakwanyama, but for all Namibians. It is not a segregated event because everyone is welcome to attend. We have already received confirmation from basically all the traditional authorities in Namibia that they will attend.”
The programme will start on Friday with a number of events, including the launching of the book on the Oukwanyama history by Queen Mwadinomho.
On Saturday, the main programme will feature, among others, the history of the Ovakwanyama tribe that will be narrated by historian Abednego Nghifikwa.
There will also be an address by the governor of the Cunene Province in Angola, while a commemorative King Mandume stamp will be also be launched by Nampost, before an address by the queen and Geingob.
Oihole logistics
Regarding the one-day trip to Oihole on 6 February, the organisers have indicated that all logistics have been put in place to cross the border to Angola and to Oihole, which is situated about 40km southeast of Ondjiva. “We have consulted our embassy in Angola through the ministry of international relations. Both the governors of Cunene and Ohangwena have also been communicating in ensuring that all arrangements are in order for the trip to Oihole,” he said.
STAFF REPORTER
The four-day centenary commemoration will take place from next week Friday at the palace of the Queen of Ovakwayama Mwadinomho Martha Kristian Nelumbu at Omhedi in the Ohangwena Region.
The events will stretch to Monday, 6 February, with the queen leading a delegation for the wreath-laying ceremony at Oihole, in the Cunene Province of Angola.
Mandume died at Oihole while in combat at the tender age of 23 in 1917 – just six years after he ascended the throne of the Ovakwanyama Kingdom.
Former presidents Sam Nujoma and Hifikepunye Pohamba have also confirmed their attendance according to the organisers, as well as other high-ranking officials, including traditional leaders from different parts of the country.
A glittering line-up of speakers will pay tribute to King Mandume who is revered as a national hero in both Namibia and Angola during the four-day event.
The organisers say everything is in place to host the thousands of people who will be flocking to the event.
“Everything is in order. The security is in place and we are ready to serve our guests,” one of the organisers Philip Hikumwah told Namibian Sun yesterday.
Hikumwah emphasised that the centenary event was not only an occasion for the Ovakwanyama people, but for all Namibians.
“The queen has dedicated this event to the youth of this country and it is important that we should study and acquaint ourselves with the history of our heroes like King Mandume. This is not an event for the Ovakwanyama, but for all Namibians. It is not a segregated event because everyone is welcome to attend. We have already received confirmation from basically all the traditional authorities in Namibia that they will attend.”
The programme will start on Friday with a number of events, including the launching of the book on the Oukwanyama history by Queen Mwadinomho.
On Saturday, the main programme will feature, among others, the history of the Ovakwanyama tribe that will be narrated by historian Abednego Nghifikwa.
There will also be an address by the governor of the Cunene Province in Angola, while a commemorative King Mandume stamp will be also be launched by Nampost, before an address by the queen and Geingob.
Oihole logistics
Regarding the one-day trip to Oihole on 6 February, the organisers have indicated that all logistics have been put in place to cross the border to Angola and to Oihole, which is situated about 40km southeast of Ondjiva. “We have consulted our embassy in Angola through the ministry of international relations. Both the governors of Cunene and Ohangwena have also been communicating in ensuring that all arrangements are in order for the trip to Oihole,” he said.
STAFF REPORTER
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