Slain Mbanderu chief commemorated

MEMBERS of the Ovambanderu communities this weekend will commemorate their slain Chief Kahimemua Nguvauva, who was court-martialled and executed by German colonial troops on June 11 1896 at Okahandja for his participation in an uprising in the Gobabis area against German colonialism.

The uprising started in March 1896 with the Khauas-Nama people under the leadership of Eduard Lambert, Kahimemua and Herero Chief Nikodemus Kavikunua. Several battles took place in that area until May and German soldiers were supported by warriors of Chief Hendrik Witbooi and some Rehoboth Baster.Several dozen Herero warriors also joined the German Schutztruppe with Chief Samuel Maharero against Kahimemua, Nikodemus and the Khauas-Nama.The decisive battle took place at Sturmfeld (Otjunda) on May 6 1896 and Chief Kahimemua surrendered to the combined German, Witbooi-Nama, Baster and Herero forces.According to the ‘Chronology of Namibian History’ by the late Dr Klaus Dierks, Chief Kahimemua managed to send several of his people to safety in Botswana after the battle.This group was led by Kahimemua’s son, Hiatuvao Nguvauva, who was later to become the father of Namibia’s present Mbanderu Chief Munjuku Nguvauva II, who is now over 80 years old.Chiefs Kahimemua Nguvauva and Nikodemus Kavikunua were executed by firing squad at Okahandja by German soldiers.Although Kahimemua’s tombstone, which was later erected at Okahandja at the execution site, says he was killed on June 11 1896, some history books give the dates of June 12 and 13.Several battles took place in that area until May and German soldiers were supported by warriors of Chief Hendrik Witbooi and some Rehoboth Baster.Several dozen Herero warriors also joined the German Schutztruppe with Chief Samuel Maharero against Kahimemua, Nikodemus and the Khauas-Nama.The decisive battle took place at Sturmfeld (Otjunda) on May 6 1896 and Chief Kahimemua surrendered to the combined German, Witbooi-Nama, Baster and Herero forces.According to the ‘Chronology of Namibian History’ by the late Dr Klaus Dierks, Chief Kahimemua managed to send several of his people to safety in Botswana after the battle.This group was led by Kahimemua’s son, Hiatuvao Nguvauva, who was later to become the father of Namibia’s present Mbanderu Chief Munjuku Nguvauva II, who is now over 80 years old.Chiefs Kahimemua Nguvauva and Nikodemus Kavikunua were executed by firing squad at Okahandja by German soldiers.Although Kahimemua’s tombstone, which was later erected at Okahandja at the execution site, says he was killed on June 11 1896, some history books give the dates of June 12 and 13.