Chief Frederick dies
Chief David Frederick of the !Aman Traditional Authority of Bethanie has died.
The Nama clan chief, widely respected by many in the south of Namibia and beyond for his firm leadership and humility, died at the Keetmanshoop State Hospital on Friday afternoon.
The governor of the //Karas Region, Lucia Basson, told Nampa that the chief had died at 16:50.
Basson, who spent the afternoon at the hospital before and after Frederick's death, said he was surrounded by many of his family members.
“I was with his family at the hospital, his room was full,” she said.
Frederick died after a long illness.
“He has been sickly since 2014, but he was a strong man, his heart and mind were strong and many times, we forgot that he was unwell,” Basson said.
She described Frederick as a unifier and peacemaker.
“He just wanted the whole Nama clans to be united and to live in peace. From what I was told, he called all his children and sat with them on Sunday, telling them to remain together and to live in peace with one another,” the governor said.
Frederick's death is a huge loss in many ways, she said, more so as he was a great historian.
“Oupab [Grandpa] was good for us all and he knew everything about Nama history and our country's history.”
Frederick often highlighted the plight of the southern people and was vocal about land matters and the genocide.
Chief Frederick, alongside OvaHerero chief Vekuii Rukoro, was a plaintiff in a matter filed in a US court seeking reparations from Germany and demanding the inclusion of the affected communities in official genocide talks.
He was 85 years old and leaves behind 17 children and his wife, Anna.
NAMPA
The Nama clan chief, widely respected by many in the south of Namibia and beyond for his firm leadership and humility, died at the Keetmanshoop State Hospital on Friday afternoon.
The governor of the //Karas Region, Lucia Basson, told Nampa that the chief had died at 16:50.
Basson, who spent the afternoon at the hospital before and after Frederick's death, said he was surrounded by many of his family members.
“I was with his family at the hospital, his room was full,” she said.
Frederick died after a long illness.
“He has been sickly since 2014, but he was a strong man, his heart and mind were strong and many times, we forgot that he was unwell,” Basson said.
She described Frederick as a unifier and peacemaker.
“He just wanted the whole Nama clans to be united and to live in peace. From what I was told, he called all his children and sat with them on Sunday, telling them to remain together and to live in peace with one another,” the governor said.
Frederick's death is a huge loss in many ways, she said, more so as he was a great historian.
“Oupab [Grandpa] was good for us all and he knew everything about Nama history and our country's history.”
Frederick often highlighted the plight of the southern people and was vocal about land matters and the genocide.
Chief Frederick, alongside OvaHerero chief Vekuii Rukoro, was a plaintiff in a matter filed in a US court seeking reparations from Germany and demanding the inclusion of the affected communities in official genocide talks.
He was 85 years old and leaves behind 17 children and his wife, Anna.
NAMPA
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