Queen appeals for return of King Mandume's head
The Queen of the Oukwanyama Traditional Authority, Martha Mwadinombo Kristian Nelumbu, has appealed for the return of the head of the late Oukwanyama king Mandume Ya Ndemufayo.
Queen Nelumbu made the call on Saturday during the centenary commemoration of the late King Mandume which took place at the Oukwanyama Palace at Omhedi in Ohangwena Region, where she appealed to those who know the whereabouts of the head to return it.
While the traditional authority has no idea where the head is, an advisor to queen, Hadino Hishongwa, told Namibian Sun that they were confident that the South African authorities must know where it is buried.
“Photos were taken of army generals with his head, that's why we are appealing to the South African authorities [to say] where the head is and return it,” he said.
Hishongwa's theory is no different of that of researchers who argue that the South African forces which attacked Mandume and his men at Oihole in Angola on 6 February 1917 afterwards decapitated him and paraded his head throughout the kingdom. His headless body was buried at Oihole.
Photos showing South African forces with Mandume's head continue to raise eyebrows and it's on this basis that people conclude that the South African authority must know where the head is.
Some believe that Mandume's head was buried in the Palm Tree Memorial Park near the railway station in Windhoek, where 12 South African soldiers who died in the battle were buried. Others say the head was taken to Germany.
The call for the return of Mandume's head goes back a long way. Former President Hifikepunye Pohamba also became involved in recent years, requesting those with more information to come forward.
While the search for Mandume's head continues, at his centenary commemoration on Saturday President Hage Geingob unveiled a bust in honour of the fallen hero.
“As we commemorate Mandume, we should bear in mind that although it is always meritorious to honour our national heroes through monuments, statues and street names, the best way we as Namibians can honour these heroes is by emulating their outstanding qualities,” Geingob said.
Today Queen Nelumbu and her delegation will be at Oihole to lay a wreath at Mandume's grave.
KENYA KAMBOWE
Queen Nelumbu made the call on Saturday during the centenary commemoration of the late King Mandume which took place at the Oukwanyama Palace at Omhedi in Ohangwena Region, where she appealed to those who know the whereabouts of the head to return it.
While the traditional authority has no idea where the head is, an advisor to queen, Hadino Hishongwa, told Namibian Sun that they were confident that the South African authorities must know where it is buried.
“Photos were taken of army generals with his head, that's why we are appealing to the South African authorities [to say] where the head is and return it,” he said.
Hishongwa's theory is no different of that of researchers who argue that the South African forces which attacked Mandume and his men at Oihole in Angola on 6 February 1917 afterwards decapitated him and paraded his head throughout the kingdom. His headless body was buried at Oihole.
Photos showing South African forces with Mandume's head continue to raise eyebrows and it's on this basis that people conclude that the South African authority must know where the head is.
Some believe that Mandume's head was buried in the Palm Tree Memorial Park near the railway station in Windhoek, where 12 South African soldiers who died in the battle were buried. Others say the head was taken to Germany.
The call for the return of Mandume's head goes back a long way. Former President Hifikepunye Pohamba also became involved in recent years, requesting those with more information to come forward.
While the search for Mandume's head continues, at his centenary commemoration on Saturday President Hage Geingob unveiled a bust in honour of the fallen hero.
“As we commemorate Mandume, we should bear in mind that although it is always meritorious to honour our national heroes through monuments, statues and street names, the best way we as Namibians can honour these heroes is by emulating their outstanding qualities,” Geingob said.
Today Queen Nelumbu and her delegation will be at Oihole to lay a wreath at Mandume's grave.
KENYA KAMBOWE
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