Mandume centenary spells unity

Today marks exactly 100 years since King Mandume Ya Ndemufayo died fighting for the freedom of his people from foreign occupation and at his centenary commemoration at the weekend Namibians were urged to remember the past and move on while upholding unity.It was a colourful day at the centenary commemoration which took place at the Oukwanyama Royal House at Omhedi in Ohangwena Region and more than a thousand invited guests and community members were in attendance.King Mandume died at the young age of 23 after a reign of six years. Speakers used the opportunity to praise him and urged the Namibian youth to emulate the qualities, character, behaviour and bravery that the late king of the Oukwanyama people had stood for.What stood out for many was to see President Hage Geingob, Former President Hifikepunye Pohamba and Founding President Sam Nujoma together.What made the event stand out further was the inclusion of other traditional authorities, opposition political leaders and foreigners who showed up.It was made clear that the celebration of Mandume's life should not be seen as tribal or a political event. During the event a book about King Mandume was launched and Nampost launched the King Mandume stamp, a bust of King Mandume was unveiled by Geingob.Cultural performances, a poem about King Mandume and a number of traditional activities also formed part of the commemorations.Oukwanyama Queen Martha Mwadinombo Kristian Nelumbu said Namibians should keep strengthening peace and unity and move forward for the future of the Namibian youth.Nelumbu said the late King Mandume was not only against colonialism but also against crime and hatred, and promoted peace and unity among his people.Queen Nelumbu is expected to lay a wreath at King Mandume's grave at Oihole in Angola today. In a speech read on behalf of the chairperson of the Council of Traditional Leaders, King Immanuel Kauluma Elifas, the secretary of the Ondonga Traditional Authority, Joseph Asino, called on the youth to emulate King Mandume's life.In his speech King Kauluma thanked the Oukwanyama Traditional Authority for carrying out its mandate of commemorating the life of King Mandume. He said this was in line with the Traditional Authorities Act, which aims to promote the peace and welfare of communities and to ensure the observance of customary law.President Geingob said he was happy to be part of the commemoration and it was pleasing to witness the presence of Namibians from different ethnic groups at the same occasion.“This is indicative of the fact that Namibia is a republic and not a group of Bantustans. Inclusivity spells peace and harmony, where our countrymen and countrywomen come together as one people to share and participate in each other's events. In so doing these events are no longer regional but national,” Geingob said.“We should remember there is nothing wrong with belonging to tribes and being proud of that fact, but we should avoid being tribal,” he added.Geingob said King Mandume's life was not only a testament to his bravery but a testament to the spirit of the Namibian people and the African people who rejected foreign occupation.KENYA KAMBOWE

Mandume centenary spells unity

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Namibian Sun 2025-05-05

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Mandume centenary spells unity

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Namibian Sun 2025-05-05

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