Remove tribal affiliation from genocide debate – Riruako

Installed Ovaherero splinter group paramount chief Hoze Riruako says the genocide issue cuts across tribal affiliation and should be treated as an issue that affected all Namibians.

Riruako called on both factions of the Ovaherero Traditional Authority (OTA) to work together to deal with polarisation and differences in opinion on how best to deal with the genocide matter.

He was speaking at his inauguration as OTA paramount chief at Commando in Okahandja this weekend, where he emphasised that his installation enables him to represent his people in accordance with their cultural norms.

“For any traditional leader, you do not need the government to recognise you … ,” he said. Riruako said the government does not play a central role in recognising or directing how traditional authorities manage themselves.

“If you are illegitimate, whatever you do becomes invalid . . . They claim to have fired Kapuuo, but the same Kapuuo is the one who is sitting here and is recognised by the government.

“There is nothing you can do . It’s very paramount for us to fortify our laws, and . . . now we have realised that there are unscrupulous people who will have unorthodox ways of clinging to power. “We will in future come up with laws that make sure that our processes are followed. “I am a law-abiding citizen and I will make sure our people are protected and will not be taken advantage of,” he said in apparent reference to a faction led by Mutjinde Katjiua which met at Aminuis over the weekend to adopt their constitution.

In his acceptance speech, Riruako said all Namibians have lost land during the 1904 to 1908 genocide, and the issue needs to be treated as a national one, rather than a tribal issue.
He told The Namibian the genocide issue should not be rushed, as the affected communities should pronounce themselves on the matter.
He said the genocide discussion has not been exhausted enough and the figure mentioned should be inclusive of the affected communities and allow them to go back to the drawing board. “We have waited over a 100 years, so we should not rush this issue.

I don’t want us to rush this decision. We want a decision that would benefit generation after generation,” he said. Riruako was installed as chief of the Ovaherero people despite academic Katjiua having being elected in the same position last year.

Asked about the community having two chiefs, Riruako said after court battles he would emerge as legitimate chief.

The two groups have been at loggerheads about who should be the legitimate paramount chief and the procedures to be followed.
In this regard, various urgent court applications have been filed.

Rally for Democracy and Progress president Mike Kavekotora at the weekend congratulated Riruako and showed his support for genocide discussions.

Also in attendance at Riruako’s inauguration was minister of higher education, training and innovation Itah Kandjii-Murangi and deputy minister of health and social services Ester Muinjangue.

Veteran journalist and social commentator Kae Matundu-Tjiparuro told Desert Radio over the weekend that Riruako would be leading “his people with the blessing of everyone”.

“This is a very significant moment, because it means his family has now given him over to be the leader of his people, and they will now know that he represents everyone.

“This is a significant process in the culture of the Ovaherero people, because it puts everyone together,” he said.