Riruako defends coronation as state actors throng event
Academic Dr Hoze Riruako has defended his ascension as paramount chief of the Ovaherero Traditional Authority (OTA), saying strict cultural and religious rites were meticulously followed to cement his position.
Riruako made these remarks over the weekend during his coronation.
Swapo actors, including higher education minister Itah Kandjii-Murangi, Okahandja mayor Kaunapawa Fillemon, Popular Democratic Movement councillor Rodman Katjaimo, and National Unity Democratic Organisation (Nudo) leader and deputy health minister Esther Muinjangue, as well as Nudo secretary general Joseph Kauandenge and Windhoek mayor Joseph Uapingene, were among the notable faces present at the coronation.
"We went to sacred places; rituals have been performed, paving the way to receive the masses. You don’t just coronate a Herero leader going through a wishy-washy type of ceremony, a hush-hush type of ceremony. There are rituals that you should perform meticulously and religiously," Riruako said, seemingly alluding to the coronation of Professor Mutjinde Katjiua to the same position last year.
Revive genocide discussions
Speaking on the genocide this weekend, Riruako said it was incumbent upon government to renew conversations with the German government on the topic.
"We need to constantly keep reminding our government that, as a successor government to both the German colonial regime and subsequently the Apartheid South African regime, it is much indebted to us, especially with regard to getting the German government to start to take it and, by extension, us as genocide descendants, seriously concerning the issue of genocide, apology and reparations," he said.
Riruako called on traditional leaders to place the needs of their subjects first and put aside personal needs and wants.
"We are supposed to be traditional leaders, but there is little to show for as to how and to what extent we are engaged in the cultural renaissance of our people. More often than not, we have been and are allowing ourselves to become pawns in the political games of astute statesmen and women, if not succumbing to material cravings," Riruako said.
We, as traditional leaders, need some soul-searching in this regard," he added.
Call for unity
Riruako urged his tribesmen to unite, saying it was necessary to find common ground.
"I am aware of the differences among us, some real, some superficial, some self-made, some driven by our detractors, but it is time we as one people rise above these differences and concentrate on what unites us," he said.
"Not to forget that the differences that are there," he added, "but our commonalities should define us more than our differences, because once we find common ground, I trust and believe that we shall be able to deal with the differences among us."
Riruako succeeds former attorney general and paramount chief Vekuii Rukoro. Riruako's succession came amid another claim to the throne by a fellow academic, Professor Mutjinde Katjiua.
Rukoro passed away from Covid-19.
Riruako made these remarks over the weekend during his coronation.
Swapo actors, including higher education minister Itah Kandjii-Murangi, Okahandja mayor Kaunapawa Fillemon, Popular Democratic Movement councillor Rodman Katjaimo, and National Unity Democratic Organisation (Nudo) leader and deputy health minister Esther Muinjangue, as well as Nudo secretary general Joseph Kauandenge and Windhoek mayor Joseph Uapingene, were among the notable faces present at the coronation.
"We went to sacred places; rituals have been performed, paving the way to receive the masses. You don’t just coronate a Herero leader going through a wishy-washy type of ceremony, a hush-hush type of ceremony. There are rituals that you should perform meticulously and religiously," Riruako said, seemingly alluding to the coronation of Professor Mutjinde Katjiua to the same position last year.
Revive genocide discussions
Speaking on the genocide this weekend, Riruako said it was incumbent upon government to renew conversations with the German government on the topic.
"We need to constantly keep reminding our government that, as a successor government to both the German colonial regime and subsequently the Apartheid South African regime, it is much indebted to us, especially with regard to getting the German government to start to take it and, by extension, us as genocide descendants, seriously concerning the issue of genocide, apology and reparations," he said.
Riruako called on traditional leaders to place the needs of their subjects first and put aside personal needs and wants.
"We are supposed to be traditional leaders, but there is little to show for as to how and to what extent we are engaged in the cultural renaissance of our people. More often than not, we have been and are allowing ourselves to become pawns in the political games of astute statesmen and women, if not succumbing to material cravings," Riruako said.
We, as traditional leaders, need some soul-searching in this regard," he added.
Call for unity
Riruako urged his tribesmen to unite, saying it was necessary to find common ground.
"I am aware of the differences among us, some real, some superficial, some self-made, some driven by our detractors, but it is time we as one people rise above these differences and concentrate on what unites us," he said.
"Not to forget that the differences that are there," he added, "but our commonalities should define us more than our differences, because once we find common ground, I trust and believe that we shall be able to deal with the differences among us."
Riruako succeeds former attorney general and paramount chief Vekuii Rukoro. Riruako's succession came amid another claim to the throne by a fellow academic, Professor Mutjinde Katjiua.
Rukoro passed away from Covid-19.
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