Where Were Our Herero Leaders?

The Herero genocide remembrance is one of the most important events in Namibian history, especially among the Herero community.

It is very disappointing to learn that some of our leaders (Kambazembi, Zeraeua, Munjuku and Kameeta) could not make it to this event [in Okahandja last Sunday] as so many of us wish we could take the front seats. As a young Herero woman I was very disappointed that the people we look up to could not make it to these events.

They could have shown that regardless of Kaura and Riruako’s issues they had swallowed their pride and put politics behind them just to be at this memorable event as proud leaders of the Herero nation.

We call the youth the leaders of tomorrow, we cry that the children are losing the importance of tradition, that the children don’t know the value of culture.

But if the leaders who have been leading the Herero nation for decades could not make it to these events what does this prove to our children? We are trying to teach children to look up to their leaders, but who should they look up to, if these leaders don’t attend traditional gatherings? It is indeed very sad for me as a young woman who has been trying so hard to keep with tradition to learn that some leaders chose to be elsewhere then at this important gathering.

Where do we see the Herero nation in five years if our leaders continue with such attitudes? We want leaders whose example can be followed by our great grandchildren, who can pass tradition on to their children; we want to see the Herero community grow from strength to strength.

– Kapimbire – via email

As a young Herero woman I was very disappointed that the people we look up to could not make it to these events. They could have shown that regardless of Kaura and Riruako’s issues they had swallowed their pride and put politics behind them just to be at this memorable event as proud leaders of the Herero nation. We call the youth the leaders of tomorrow, we cry that the children are losing the importance of tradition, that the children don’t know the value of culture. But if the leaders who have been leading the Herero nation for decades could not make it to these events what does this prove to our children? We are trying to teach children to look up to their leaders, but who should they look up to, if these leaders don’t attend traditional gatherings? It is indeed very sad for me as a young woman who has been trying so hard to keep with tradition to learn that some leaders chose to be elsewhere then at this important gathering. Where do we see the Herero nation in five years if our leaders continue with such attitudes? We want leaders whose example can be followed by our great grandchildren, who can pass tradition on to their children; we want to see the Herero community grow from strength to strength.- Kapimbire – via email