OvaMbanderu, OvaHerero remember Otjimbingwe

OTJIMBINGWE MAGGY THOMAS

Hundreds of OvaHerero and OvaMbanderu people converged upon Otjimbingwe in the Erongo Region on Saturday in remembrance of the meeting held by OvaHerero traditional leaders there 150 years ago. The first gathering took place on June 15, 1863.
All Otjiherero-speaking communities gathered at Otjimbingwe that year to discuss the common threats and challenges they faced, as well as to consider the possible ramifications if they did not act and come up with strategies to address those challenges.
On Saturday, throngs of people from as far as Opuwo in the Kunene Region, Aminuis in the Omaheke Region, Tsau in Botswana and Vaalgras in the Karas Region participated in the event, which will now be commemorated every year.
The weekend's agenda included discussions on issues of a socio-economic and political nature, especially the fragmentation of the OvaHerero and OvaMbaderu people.
Other topics included restoring unity and cooperation between the various clans, chiefs and followers; alcohol abuse; teenage pregnancy; poor education and health facilities; lack of rural development and unavailability of land for farming and settlement.
The meeting was seen in some quarters as an attempt to bring to an end the division, infighting and power struggles within the traditional authorities of the various OvaHerero and OvaMbanderu communities.
The OvaMbanderu community has been split into two groups since January 2008 when their Chief Munjuku Nguvauva II died.
The late chief's sons - Keharanjo Nguvauva, now deceased, and Kilus Nguvauva, who is currently the deputy minister of mines and energy, were in a tussle to take over the chieftaincy.
Immediately after the death Keharanjo, his faction installed his mother Aletta Nguvauva as queen of the Ovambanderu Traditional Authority. Aletta was the wife of the late Chief Munjuku Nguvauva.
The Kambazembi, Maharero and Zeraeua royal houses are also engaged in power struggles.
The Zeraeua Traditional Authority recently split into two factions, with one led by Mannese Zeraeua and the other by Rafael Kapia, fighting for the chieftaincy of the Zeraeua Royal House following the death of Chief Christian Eerike Zeraeua in 2012.
One group led by Tjipepa and Kapia descendants claim that Kapia is the rightful heir to the Zeraeua Royal House and installed him as successor last year, while the other group led by the late Zeraeua's son Manasse held a separate inauguration ceremony, claiming he is the rightful heir to the throne.
The meeting on Saturday was organised by the OvaHerero Traditional Authority led by OvaHerero Paramount Chief Kuaima Riruako.
Although the meeting was seen as an attempt to restore unity between the OvaHerero and OvaMbanderu communities, the Maharero, Vita and Kambazembi royal houses were not visible, while the Kilus and Manasse factions also shunned the meeting.
The proceedings started at around 09:00 with participants visiting several sacred places around Otjimbingwe, while the formal event started at 14:15 with speeches.
Speaker after speaker emphasised unity between the OvaMbanderu and OvaHerero for the sake of development.
The event was attended by Riruako, DTA president Katuutire Kaura, Aletta Nguvauva, several traditional authority leaders and members of the public.
-Nampa