19 Jul 2023

The Ovambanderu in Botswana and Namibia have been urged to unite, work together and support each other’s cultural activities or respective events.

Speaking at the annual Otjingirine event held in Toromoja over the holidays, Ovambanderu paramount chief from Namibia, Kgosi Epena Nguvauva said the Banderu of Botswana and Namibia were one people with a similar culture, hence the need for unity.

Kgosi Nguvauva said in most instances Batswana who attended cultural activities in Namibia came in low numbers and usually were the same faces every year.

The Ovambanderu kgosi encouraged the tribe not to pollute their culture with politics and religious beliefs among others as this would derail efforts to preserve it.

He urged young people to embrace the Banderu culture, adding the tribe was one of those that had preserved and sustained their culture for a long time, particularly their flamboyant dress code.

He also emphasised the need for elders to pass their culture to the new generations to protect and preserve it because it was unique and rich.

Nonetheless, the Otjingirine festival is held at the graveyard of the tribes’ forefathers and chiefs to celebrate and honor those who were killed during the war between the Namibians and the Germans.

Toromoja’s this year’s Otjingirine event was held under the theme “Oviungura oka nikora, Onganda Eha” loosely translated to English as “work is temporary, home is permanent”.

Outlining objectives of the event, one of the locals, Mbaeva Mbaeva said it was a norm that the Otjingirine was celebrated during the month of July as this was the time when remains of one of the Ovambaderu dikgosi were exhumed in Toromoja and sent to Namibia.

He highlighted that the event honored departed heroes for their brave efforts during an encounter with Namibias colonial masters --  the Germans. The event, he said, was also meant to showcase and celebrate the tribe’s culture.

Topias Marenga emphasised the importance of culture preservation, calling for fellow tribesmen to continue keeping their culture intact. He said the use of mother tongue in public schools would play an important role in culture preservation. Community radio stations, he said, also could play a significant role. Ends