19 Jul 2018

 Government has been applauded for giving ethnic groups like the Ovambanderu of Toromoja a platform to celebrate and preserve their culture.

Speaking at the annual cultural occasion at Toromoja recently, Ovambanderu Paramount Chief from Namibia, Kilus Nguvauva said the Botswana’s first president, the late Sir Seretse

Khama and his predecessor deserved the applaud for offering the different tribes a platform and encouraging them to safeguard their cultures.
In th past, he said the Ovambanderu were troubled by war and found refuge and hospitality in Botswana.

“I am humbled by your gesture of giving refuge to our people during political unrest in our native country of Namibia, he said adding that the gesture gave the Ovambanderu a new lease in life. You gave refuge to those who flee their native country and by so doing safe guarded their culture. On behalf of the Ovambanderu, I would like to appreciate the warm and hospitable reception of the Botswana government,” he said.

He added that they also appreciated that government still encouraged and gave tribes an opportunity to reflect on and celebrate what they were.

Nguvauva also appealed to the elderly of Ovambanderu to share their culture with the youth who would be able to document their past and preserve for future generations.

 “To the youth, I appeal to you to take advantage of the government hospitality and cherish your past,” he said.

He further urged the Ovambanderu to take full responsibility of preserving their culture, saying, “You are fortunate to have a government and political structure that fully support what you are.”

Nguvauva further encouraged the Ovambanderu in Botswana not todespair and continue working together and celebrate their culture annually.

Nguvauva was however wary of mounting differences with the potential of dividing the tribe.

He therefore appealed to his tribe to tread carefully, work together and do away with any differences like to split the tribe and disturb positive course that the tribe was currently focused on.

“Let us continue working together despite challenges,” he added.

Meanwhile, Assistant Minister of Basic Education, Thato Kwerepe said the event was significant to the Ovambanderu people.

He said history revealed that a reasonable number of the tribe perished in a war with the Germans.

Therefore, he said it was worth noting that despite the pain and suffering of the past, the tribe advocated for peace, as evidenced in the white colour in their flag.

Kwerepe also appealed to the youth to be at the forefront of efforts made to preserve culture.

 “The event hold strong memories of your culture, and therefore I appeal to young people to attach to their culture, he said. They must be part and parcel of the cultural revival,” he said.

Giving a brief overview of the Ovambanderu history, Juampambi Mutenge said the black, blue and black colours of the Ovambanderu flag were adopted in 1931.

He said the black colour symbolised the suffering and pain that the tribe went through during the embattled past.

After fleeing war in Namibia and settling the North West Botswana, Mutenge said the tribe was confronted with more challenges of diseases.

 He said the blood suckling tsetse fly also caused the Ovambanderu some discomfort.

As cattle barons, Mutenge said crocodiles and other wild cats also mauled their livestock as they settled in a wildlife-infested area. Mutenge said the Ovambanderu held the event annually to reflect on the past and preserve their culture.

 “We also celebrate the brave efforts of our heroes and heroines who perished in the war to save the tribe to preserve the Mbanderu lineage,” he said. ENDS