Martin Endjala
On Wednesday, the Office of the President announced the postponement of the Chief Hosea Kutako Memorial Shrine’s inauguration in Toasis, Aminius Constituency to 10 December.
According to the Office of the President’s statement issued on Wednesday, President Nangolo Mbumba was set to unveil the shrine at the inauguration ceremony on Friday.
The Presidency stated that the postponement is because President Mbumba will be visiting Botswana to attend the swearing-in ceremony of that country’s president-elect, Duma Boko on Friday, 8 November.
“The Presidency wishes to apologise for any inconvenience the change of dates for the inauguration of the Chief Hosea Kutako Memorial Museum and Shrine may have caused,” read the statement.
The shrine captures the historical journey of one of Namibia’s most revered leaders and a pivotal figure in the country’s struggle for independence.
The late President Hage Geingob ordered the construction of the shrine to honour Chief Hosea Kutako’s contribution to Namibia’s liberation struggle, symbolising resilience and hope.
Chief Hosea Kutako was one of Namibia’s prominent leaders and a key figure in advocating for the rights of the Namibian people under the then-South African colonial regime. He died in the 1970s.
However, the inauguration has drawn concerns from some quarters, with calls for more involvement from Kutako’s descendants and traditional authorities.
The Landless People’s Movement (LPM) representative for human rights, Joyce Muzengua, criticised the government’s approach, highlighting that the traditional authority linked to the homestead currently lacks a gazetted chief.
“We are getting tired. One is that the government knows very well that the traditional authority has no gazetted chief. Why does the government not wait for a chief to be gazetted because the matter is currently sub judice?” she said.
She questioned the government’s inability to wait for the resolution of the issue before unveiling the homestead with the gazetted chief.
Muzengua further questioned the government’s decision to construct the shrine without the involvement of the Kutako family, who still reside at the homestead.
According to Muzengua, it is wrong for the government to involve itself prematurely in matters of traditional authorities.
“They have not even done a single thing to try and remedy the situation, and all they do is try and further polarise the people. It is just wrong,” she stated.
Adding to the concerns, Hivaka Mungendje, a descendant of Chief Kutako, stated that the family has felt excluded from the planning process.
“Today I address the government of Namibia and the public, especially the presidency and the National Heritage Council. My message is clear. Granting consent for the government to honour our grandfather by developing his homestead into a national monument. Did not mean surrendering our rights to our heritage or our voice in how his legacy should be honoured,” she stated.
She noted that repeated requests for discussions with the National Heritage Council and the presidency to formalise a management plan for the site have not been met.
Mungendje further underscored that the family’s perspective should be respected, calling for unity and collaboration in preserving Chief Kutako’s legacy.
“This lack of communication has led to chaos, disrespecting the unity and honour that my grandfather stood for. We call on the government to postpone this unveiling and meet the rightful custodians of this legacy and collaboratively decide on a plan that truly honours Chief Kutako,” she said.
She said this is their heritage, their story, and it deserves the respect of being told the right way by honouring him with unity, respect and true partnership.
In response to these calls for inclusivity, Deputy Minister of Information and Communication Technology, Emma Theofelus, explained that the memorial shrine is intended to recognise Kutako’s bravery in paving the way for an independent Namibia.
She highlighted that Kutako’s vision extended beyond tribal lines, emphasising unity for all Namibians.
The shrine, which is designed to preserve and reflect traditions from Chief Kutako’s era, serves as a national symbol.
The Office of the Presidency highlighted that the 10 December date, which commemorates the Old Location massacre, aligns with the ongoing struggle for Namibian unity and independence.