Remembering Mandume

The Oukwanyama Traditional Authority (OTA) is planning a centenary commemoration of the death of King Mandume ya Ndemufayo for next month.Ya Ndemufayo, recognised as a liberation hero in Namibia, Angola and the entire Africa, became the king of Ovakwanyama at the age of 17 and ruled between 1911 and 1917.He died at Oihole on 6 February 1917 at the age of 23 fighting against the colonial military forces of the Portuguese and the British Empire. He was attacked because he was not permitted into the part of his kingdom which had been apportioned to the Portuguese colonial power in Angola. However, there were challenges with corrupt headmen and as king, he considered the territory under his rule and entered it to sort out the challenges his people were facing. The South African forces eventually attacked him at Oihole.The commemoration event is planned for 3 to 6 February at the traditional authority's Omhedi Palace in the Ohangwena Region, the ohamba (queen) of Ovakwanyama, Martha Mwadinomho waKristian yaNelumbu said in a statement delivered on her behalf at Omhedi village on Wednesday.“This historic and memorable day in the annals of African history will be commemorated at Omhedi in Namibia and at Oihole in Angola from 3 to 6 February 2017,” she said.The main event takes place at Omhedi on 4 February when yaNelumbu will deliver a public address.Event coordinating secretary Josia Udjombala told journalists at the same media briefing that President Hage Geingob had been invited to address the about 5 000 people estimated to attend the commemoration.Founding president Sam Nujoma and former president Hifikepunye Pohamba have also been invited to the commemoration.In her statement, yaNelumbu urged all Ovakwanyama, their friends, fellow Namibians and all compatriots, in both Namibia and Angola, to prepare to join her and the national leadership during the envisaged commemoration.“All Ovakwanyama, here in Namibia or elsewhere, and all our friends are kindly encouraged to join hands and become a part of this commemoration, and ensure that it becomes a huge success,” she said.A gala dinner will be held at the palace on 3 February, while 5 February is dedicated to religious activities.YaNelumbu will lead a powerful traditional delegation, including several members of the Namibian Parliament, to Oihole in southern Angola where she will lay a wreath at a monument erected in yaNdemufayo's honour.NAMPA

Remembering Mandume

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Namibian Sun 2025-04-04

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Remembering Mandume

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Namibian Sun 2025-04-04

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