07 Nov 2026

Vice President and Minister of Finance Ndaba Gaolathe says the resilience of the Ovambanderu people and their historic contribution to the country's social and economic fabric cannot go unnoticed.

Speaking at the Second Ovambanderu National Conference in Tsabong, held under the theme: Celebrating Uniqueness in Diversity: A Call for Nation Building, Mr Gaolathe reflected on the 130-year journey of the Ovambanderu following their displacement from present-day Namibia in 1896.

He noted that despite facing immense hardship after the resistance led by Chief Kahimemua Nguvauva against German colonial rule, the community successfully rebuilt their lives across Ngamiland, Boteti, Tsabong, and other parts of Botswana.

He emphasised that their pastoral heritage, traditional attire, music, and the iconic Tjingirini flag remain living expressions of identity that enriches the nation.

Central to the discussions at the Ovambanderu National Conference was the preservation of the Otjimbanderu language and the Vice President acknowledged concerns raised by community representatives regarding the presence of Otjimbanderu in public broadcasting and national life.

He assured the gathering that the government was working to broaden the use of indigenous languages in media and was developing a national language policy in consultation with experts and local communities.

He called on elders, families, and young people to keep the language alive in daily conversation while leveraging digital tools to archive oral histories, proverbs, and traditional knowledge.

Earlier in the proceedings, OvaMbanderu Traditional Authority Steering Committee chairperson, Mr Abia Kavei outlined their key priorities, which included reconnecting dispersed members across borders, fostering inclusivity among younger generations, evaluating progress made since their previous gathering in Ghanzi, and promoting self-reliance through initiatives such as the OvaMbanderu Fund and local enterprise. ENDS