Still no trace of Mandume's head
There is still no indication where the head of Oukwanyama king Mandume Ya Ndemufayo ended up after his death in 1917.
The Oukwanyama Traditional Authority says it is still trying to trace its whereabouts.
During the centenary commemoration of the king's death at Omhedi in the Ohangwena Region in February last year, Queen Martha Mwadinombo Kristian Nelumbu appealed for the return of his head. Nelumbu appealed to those who know the whereabouts of the head to return it.
Oukwanyama Traditional Authority chairperson George Nelulu told Namibian Sun yesterday that a committee was established to assist in tracing the king's head.
However, they have not been able to trace its whereabouts and those who were responsible for his death deny being in possession of the head.
“After the queen made the announcement during the centenary commemoration, a committee was established to liaise with the ambassadors of Portugal and Britain, and they reported to us that the two countries are denying being in possession of the head,” Nelulu said.
“We are still repeating the call that whoever knows about King Mandume's head should come forward or return it.”
An advisor to the queen, Hadino Hishongwa, told Namibian Sun last year they were confident the South African authorities must know where it is buried.
He said photos were taken of army generals with Mandume's head, and that's why they are appealing to the South African authorities to say where the head is or to return it.
Hishongwa's theory is the same as that of many researchers, who have argued that the South African forces that attacked Mandume and his men at Oihole in Angola on 6 February 1917 later decapitated him and paraded his head.
His headless body was buried at Oihole.
Photographs showing South African forces with Mandume's head continue to raise eyebrows.
Some believe that Mandume's head was buried at Palm Tree Park near the Windhoek railway station, where 12 South African soldiers who died in the battle were also buried. Others say the head was taken to Germany.
The call for the return of Mandume's head has been repeated many times over the years. Former president Hifikepunye Pohamba has also requested that those with more information should come forward.
ILENI NANDJATO
The Oukwanyama Traditional Authority says it is still trying to trace its whereabouts.
During the centenary commemoration of the king's death at Omhedi in the Ohangwena Region in February last year, Queen Martha Mwadinombo Kristian Nelumbu appealed for the return of his head. Nelumbu appealed to those who know the whereabouts of the head to return it.
Oukwanyama Traditional Authority chairperson George Nelulu told Namibian Sun yesterday that a committee was established to assist in tracing the king's head.
However, they have not been able to trace its whereabouts and those who were responsible for his death deny being in possession of the head.
“After the queen made the announcement during the centenary commemoration, a committee was established to liaise with the ambassadors of Portugal and Britain, and they reported to us that the two countries are denying being in possession of the head,” Nelulu said.
“We are still repeating the call that whoever knows about King Mandume's head should come forward or return it.”
An advisor to the queen, Hadino Hishongwa, told Namibian Sun last year they were confident the South African authorities must know where it is buried.
He said photos were taken of army generals with Mandume's head, and that's why they are appealing to the South African authorities to say where the head is or to return it.
Hishongwa's theory is the same as that of many researchers, who have argued that the South African forces that attacked Mandume and his men at Oihole in Angola on 6 February 1917 later decapitated him and paraded his head.
His headless body was buried at Oihole.
Photographs showing South African forces with Mandume's head continue to raise eyebrows.
Some believe that Mandume's head was buried at Palm Tree Park near the Windhoek railway station, where 12 South African soldiers who died in the battle were also buried. Others say the head was taken to Germany.
The call for the return of Mandume's head has been repeated many times over the years. Former president Hifikepunye Pohamba has also requested that those with more information should come forward.
ILENI NANDJATO
Comments
Namibian Sun
No comments have been left on this article