The Nama Traditional Leaders Association Chairperson, Gaob Johannes Isaack, has welcomed an investigation into the history of Shark Island, which the German Empire used as a concentration camp during the Nama and Herero Genocide of 1904–1908.
The investigation is being conducted by a London-based forensic architecture director, Professor Eyal Wiezman. Forensic Architecture is an independent university-based agency undertaking media and spatial research into instances of state violence and violations of human rights across the globe.
Speaking at the launch of the investigation into Shark Island’s history, Gaob Isaack welcomed the development.
“The efforts of this day, in my opinion, epitomise the inflection point from which a revealing message regarding the experiences of my people and that of the OvaHerero fold will emerge. And the envisioned development of the day must lead to a new historiography and decolonized knowledge production, which should be less tainted by the post-colonial biases of the current scholars among people of colour.”
Gaob Isaack said the investigation is crucial to ensuring that the history of slavery and colonialism is not contaminated by systems of knowledge. He reminded learners who also attended the launch about the importance of education.
“My message to the school and the school-going children is that you must make it your task to stay on course in your school and get educated; make sure you are the ones that will change the future for the best of your own lives and that of your offspring. Study history, and make sure you write a book about it.”
Wiezman explained why he saw it fit to conduct the investigation. “I have been born into a family of Holocaust survivors, and I would also like to mention that, as a descendant of a community affected by German genocide, the solidarity that I feel and the bond I feel are very close to yours.”
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