NTLA calls for inclusion on Nama & Ovaherero genocide reparations negotiations

The Nama Traditional Leaders Association (NTLA) has reiterated calls for its inclusion in the Nama and Ovaherero Genocide Reparations talks between the governments of Namibia and Germany.

Its chairperson, Johannes Isaack, repeated this demand at the annual Genocide Memorial Day at Luderitz over the weekend. 

The annual genocide commemoration themed ‘Let the Blood of Our Ancestors Fuel Our Resolve for Restorative Justice’ commenced with a genocide memorial walk. 

A reconstructed tombstone at Shark Island in memory of the Nama/Ovaherero genocide victims was also unveiled. 

“We continue to demand justice to occupy our rightful place at the negotiating table as equals. I want to reiterate why we, as Nama leaders under the umbrella of the NTLA, will never accept the current negotiations between Germany and Namibia. For starters, Germany has never started any negotiations with us. Never. For this reason alone, we will not accept anything that was not discussed with us. Secondly, Germany never acknowledged the genocide.”

Isaack noted that development aid does not repair anything and called on the government to declare April 12 as National Genocide Remembrance Day.

However, the Okandjoze Chiefs, comprising different OvaHerero and Mbanderu communities, proposed May 28 as Genocide Remembrance Day during their visit to State House last week.

In a statement read on her behalf, Vice President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah said the government’s main resolve is that Germany acknowledges colonial-era Namibian genocide as such and apologises for it. 

“We, therefore, urge our communities and their leaders to support the government in the negotiations so that a solution is found that is in the best interests of the affected communities in particular and the Namibian people in general. It is the only way that we will honour our ancestors who perished during the 1904–1908 genocide.”

Also speaking at the occasion were the governors of the ||Kharas and Hardap regions.

Minister of Justice Yvonne Dausab and other government officials also attended the genocide commemorations.