Paramount Chief Mutjinde Katjiua, leader of the Ovaherero Traditional Authority, emphasized the significance of this event, held on September 30 to October 2, highlighting the devastating impact of the genocide, which reduced the Herero population from 85,000 to a mere 14,670 individuals.
He argued that "People without history and culture is like a ball; it rolls in any direction, no clear purpose and direction of its own."
"It is 120 years of a difficult and painful experience," Chief Katjiua told Sputnik Africa, emphasizing the enduring legacy of the genocide. "We are reflecting and hearing the many experiences from the Ovaherero in Namibia, and those who are to this day still live as refugees in South Africa, Botswana, and Angola."
He further announced the establishment of October 2, the date on which German General Lothar von Trotha issued the extermination order, as Ovaherero Genocide Remembrance Day. Chief Katjiua underscored the importance of educating the youth about the Herero Genocide, arguing that people without knowledge of their history are easily swayed and lack direction.
"The youth must be vigilant and ensure the genocide must not be repeated," he stressed. "The youth and leaders must be reminded of brutal European colonialism and continuing neo-colonial and imperialistic tendencies of the West that sees Africans, Africa, and its resources as raw materials for their lavish lifestyles."
He called for concrete action, urging the West to "pay reparations or move out of Africa." Chief Katjiua emphasized the unwavering commitment of the Herero people to reclaim their ancestral lands, asserting their right to demand reparations from Germany.
"Germany will not voluntarily agree to pay reparation," he declared. "It is our right to demand reparations. We will continue to explore all possible legal and political means to have reparations paid. At the end of the day, we know where our ancestral land is - we will take it back without paying any compensation to the descendants of thieves and murderers."