Walk remembers genocide
A genocide walk was held on Saturday in Swakopmund by the Ovaherero and Nama communities residing at the coast to commemorate the 1904-1908 genocide.
Over 300 people gathered at the mass graves at the Swakopmund Memorial Park to pay tribute to the thousands who were massacred by German forces.
At the occasion Ovaherero paramount chief Vekuii Rukuro prayed to his ancestors asking for favour and blessings.
The Swakopmund Memorial Park used to be a large concentration camp which German troops had constructed. The mass graves are in Riverside Street which was renamed to Dr Kauima Riruako Street on the same day.
“This is a very important street as it is adjacent to where many of the Ovaherero people were buried. On behalf of all the Ovaherero and Nama communities who were brutalised in this concentration camp on the two extermination orders given by Lothar von Trotha, I am unveiling a newly renamed street, Dr Kuaima Riruako. I thank the Swakopmund municipality and street-naming committee for adhering to our request,” he said.
The Ovaherero and Nama communities then walked through the central business district to the Vineta North Sports Field.
The walk included members of the red, green and white flags who were dressed in their traditional attire. Some were marching and chanting towards the venue while others rode on horseback.
Speaking at the same occasion the Ovambanderu paramount chief Aletha Nguvauva said that there must be persistence and unity if they are to prevail, adding they will not give up.
“Let us leave the arguments please. This battle is for all of us. While we are arguing amongst ourselves we might all lose out as a third party will come to benefit,” said Nguvauva.
Adolf Kaure
Over 300 people gathered at the mass graves at the Swakopmund Memorial Park to pay tribute to the thousands who were massacred by German forces.
At the occasion Ovaherero paramount chief Vekuii Rukuro prayed to his ancestors asking for favour and blessings.
The Swakopmund Memorial Park used to be a large concentration camp which German troops had constructed. The mass graves are in Riverside Street which was renamed to Dr Kauima Riruako Street on the same day.
“This is a very important street as it is adjacent to where many of the Ovaherero people were buried. On behalf of all the Ovaherero and Nama communities who were brutalised in this concentration camp on the two extermination orders given by Lothar von Trotha, I am unveiling a newly renamed street, Dr Kuaima Riruako. I thank the Swakopmund municipality and street-naming committee for adhering to our request,” he said.
The Ovaherero and Nama communities then walked through the central business district to the Vineta North Sports Field.
The walk included members of the red, green and white flags who were dressed in their traditional attire. Some were marching and chanting towards the venue while others rode on horseback.
Speaking at the same occasion the Ovambanderu paramount chief Aletha Nguvauva said that there must be persistence and unity if they are to prevail, adding they will not give up.
“Let us leave the arguments please. This battle is for all of us. While we are arguing amongst ourselves we might all lose out as a third party will come to benefit,” said Nguvauva.
Adolf Kaure
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