Africa-Press – Namibia. Vice president Lucia Witbooi says she hopes the introduction of an annual Genocide Remembrance Day will bring some level of comfort to the affected Ovaherero and Nama communities.
The country marked the first genocide remembrance day at the Parliament Gardens in Windhoek on Wednesday, despite some Ovaherero and Nama communities rejecting the day with some arguing that the day should be commemorated on 22 April when their ancestors were massacred or on 2 October, when an extermination order was given by Lothar von Trotha.
The day is held in honour of the victims of the 1904-1908 genocide perpetrated under German colonial rule.
At the commemoration, Witbooi stated that the day is of national importance in the history of the country.
“The Remembrance Day is a day to reflect on the 1904-1908 genocide victims and to honour them,” she says.
Witbooi also noted that the genocide affected not only the Nama and Herero people, but also the San and Damara communities.
She urged all Namibians to honour the victims, as the loss affects all tribes.
She acknowledged that the pain and scars of the genocide continues to haunt the descendents.
She said the day signals a new chapter as 28 May will be a day dedicated to honour those who lost their lives.
She added that the day does not mean the genocide will be forgotten, adding that this chapter of the country’s history will live on.
However, she said the government hopes it will bring comfort to the descendents who can now look forward to commemorating it each year.
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