By: Rodney Pienaar
President Hage Geingob has said that it is important for the German government to admit their wrongs against the people of Namibia if the two governments are to move forward.
Namibians expect that the most appropriate admission of this genocide will be the issuing by Germany of an apology which will be acceptable to the Namibian people, he said at the occasion of the return of Kaptein Hendrik Witbooi bible and whip at Gibeon.
“Our gathering here today is in honour of a poignant period in our nation’s history, when colossal personalities were called upon to defend the dignity of their people and territory. The brutal wave of colonial aggression which characterised the Scramble for Africa, did not spare Namibia; in fact, it drowned our people in a swell of vicious oppression.”
“The brutal wave of colonial aggression which characterised the Scramble for Africa, did not spare Namibia; in fact, it drowned our people in a swell of vicious oppression. But as we have learnt from history, sometimes in the midst of our darkest hours, a hero rises to be the light bearer for the people,” he said.
Geingob acclaimed that the man of the hour was produced when the forces of imperialist aggression, in the form of the German army under Curt von François decided to invade Greater Namaqualand, today known as the Southern Namibia.
“A man who would be described by historians as “one of the most powerful African leaders at the time when European imperialism began to carve up Africa into colonies.” A man, highly revered and affectionately known as Khaob !Nanseb /Gabemab – The captain who disappears in the grass.”
“The powers of that time, were carving up African territory, driven by the lust for resources and subsequent wealth. It is during this period that many Namibian people were separated by boundaries that paid no consideration to the demographics of the region. Our ancestors, and all of us present here today, are victims of these indiscriminate annexations; annexations which dispossessed Namibians of their land, by force and without compensation,” he said.
Witbooi was born at a time when colonialism was at its zenith.
It is during this period that many Namibian people were separated by boundaries that paid no consideration to the demographics of the region.
“It is in the spirit of recognizing and honoring an iconic figure in our struggle against colonialism, that we have all come here. This is a historic occasion in the history of our country and we should accord it the honour it deserves and not resort to the growing trend of using national events for political point scoring.”
“It is therefore imperative that we put aside personal interests and hold hands by holding a peaceful and dignified ceremony, befitting of our national hero, Kaptein Hendrik Witbooi,” said Geingob.
