18 Apr 2017

Kgosi Killus Nguvauva of Ovambanderu in Botswana and Namibia has expressed his intention to meet President Lt Gen. Dr Seretse Khama Ian Khama  as a sign of gratitude for the country’s support towards his people during difficult times.

He noted that some of his communities fled to Botswana to seek refugee following a terrible period of death and destruction that had been rightfully characterised as a campaign for genocide.

Kgosi Nguvauva pleaded with the Assistant Minister for Presidential Affairs, Governance and Public Administration, Mr Thato Kwerepe who graced the annual Otjingirine commemoration to assist in facilitating the meeting.

At a commemoration also known as the Green Flag celebration he said since he succeeded his father, Munjuku Nguvauva II, who led the Ovambanderu community for more than five decades until his death he had long wished to meet the President but his efforts were fruitless.

Otjingirine brings together both the community from Botswana and Namibia to one place at Dhaoga settlement where their late leader, Kgosi Nguvauva was laid to rest.

He said since they enjoyed great support from the Office of the President, his wish would be considered this time.

Kgosi Nguvauva said his people had a good stay in Botswana as they enjoyed peace and tranquility that reigned in the country hence the need to thank the government.

“I am very thankful as my community was treated like any other Motswana as per the country’s Constitution and I found it fit to meet with the President to show a special gratitude,” he added.

Kgosi Nguvauva also expressed a wish to visit Tsabong and some other areas around the country where the Ovambaderu community resided.

He emphasised the need for all the Ovambaderu to embrace unity in all their dealings .

For his part, Mr  Kwerepe said the story of the Ovambanderu was part of Botswana as well as Namibia’s unity in diversity noting that no community suffered more during the last century from the racist ideology of imperialism than the

Ovambanderu along with their historic neighbours and cousins the Ovaherero.

He stated that countless victims of their aggression found salvation as refugees among the indigenous population not only in Ngamiland but other parts of Botswana.

He said while the conflict started in Namibia, it ultimately impacted the entire legacy leaving powerful legacy of inter-communal solidarity.

He said just as the call of resistance against the German ultimately united what had at times previously been rival interest among Ovambanderu and their Namibian neighbours, the horrors of the Kalahari Holocaust drew together local communities in South Africa as well as Botswana in solidarity with the victims.

Mr Kwerepe said in the Botswana context, the refuge and support extended to the Namibian refugees and freedom fighters during the time of the war was a precedent for those who would follow during the more modern liberation struggles.

He said an occasion like Otjingirine was importantl as the people commemorated the shared joy of rebirth and resurrection of a community following a terrible period of death and destruction. BOPA