The truth shall set us free

IVO LüHL WRITES:

My dear compatriots, it is great that Germany is paying for the genocide that happened 114 years ago but the propaganda should stop.

We all want a united house, Harambee and stand strong because a divided house will fall.

Let us stay with facts. Let the Namibian Government and their German counterparts initiate a Truth and Conciliation Commission with International Judges to help us separate facts from fiction.

One hundred and fourteen years ago the Ovaherero Chief Samuel Maharero declared a war against Germany. Within a few days 120 German civilians were killed. Those early Ovaherero were actually the first Freedom Fighters of Namibia.

Now this lead to the German Schutztruppe who happened to be down south at Warmbad having a problem with the Bondel Swarts at that time to quickly return to be able to react to the Ovaherero uprising.

EFFECTIVE GUERILLAS

Naturally the Ovaherero followed a strategy of hit and hide, a Guerrilla War, as very effective and hard for the German soldiers to win. After the Ovaherero consolidated at the Waterberg the Germans planned to beat the resistance there and planned accordingly.

On the 11th of August 1904 a fierce battle was fought at Hamakari and surroundings at the Waterberg. Both sides had to endure heavy losses. More than one hundred German soldiers were killed and an undisclosed number of exceptionally brave Ovaherero fighters.

When night fell the shooting stopped and the completely exhausted Germans were relieved but still afraid that fighting would continue but lucky they were because the Ovaherero decided to leave during the night. Contrary to widespread belief the Germans did not win the battle. The Ovaherero withdrew using the long tested and very effective strategy of hit and hide again.

Part of the Ovaherero turned north aiming at Oshiwambo and Angola and Chief Maharero with his headmen and a large group turned south east to reach the then British Protectorate Bechuanaland now Botswana. After enduring a lot of hardship the border to Botswana was reached by Chief Maharero with his headmen during the month of September when they asked the British High Commissioner for asylum, which was granted.

BEATEN

The Germans on the other side were so exhausted after the day of the battle that they had to rest and reorganize the whole of the following day and hadn't been able to follow the disappearing Ovaherero. Only on the second day after the fighting did they start searching for their enemy.

It must be remembered that the German soldiers had a big disadvantage not knowing the terrain and not being used to the climate, the bush and burning sun, whereas the Ovaherero knew the land perfectly well and were strong and brave people. As could be expected the Germans couldn't get hold of the Ovaherero in the vast bush and a bitter and frustrated German General decided on a different approach.

After receiving word that Chief Samuel Maharero and his men had reached the Botswana border in September the cruel and stupid General von Trotha made a proclamation order which is widely known as the Shooting Order on the 2nd of October which reads as follows:

I, the great General of the German troops, send this letter to the Herero people.

The Herero are no longer German subjects. They have murdered and stolen, they have cut off the ears, noses and other body-parts of wounded soldiers, now out of cowardice they no longer wish to fight. I say to the people: Anyone who delivers a captain will receive 1000 Mark, whoever delivers Samuel will receive 5000 Mark.

The Herero people must however leave the land. If the populace does not do this I will force them with the Groot Rohr (cannon). Within the German borders every Herero, with or without a gun, with or without cattle, will be shot. I will no longer accept women and children, I will drive them back to their people or I will let them be shot at.

These are my words to the Herero people.

The great General of the mighty German Kaiser.

Now the question arises: Did the cruel General give above proclamation because he was utterly frustrated as he couldn't get hold of the Ovaherero in the vast bush land? And how many Ovaherero could he actually get his cruel hands on to have them killed? Did he want to get all of the Ovaherero nation out of the country into Botswana to follow their chief into asylum?

ACCEPT THE GUILT

This very inhumane order was then heavily criticised in Germany which lead to its replacement after two months by an order to have mercy on the Ovaherero. The missionaries were then asked to help with bringing the Ovaherero into concentration camps were they could at least have decent meals again after they went through unbelievable hardship as their basis to survive, their cattle and land had been taken or destroyed.

Now I want to make some basic facts clear. For the Germans it is a virtue to accept guilt and they have accepted that a genocide did happen. Furthermore it is a fact that the Ovaherero and also the Nama did go through utter hardship and that they lost their land. So let the German Government pay what should be due.

It is also unquestionable that the traditional authorities of both should be part and parcel of the negotiation between the Namibian Government and Germany for reparations. It also should be obvious that at least half of the amount of the reparation sum should go directly to the Ovaherero and Nama communities because it was they who suffered. The other half should be invested in infrastructure in the whole of Namibia as the whole of the country is of course also used by both those communities.

Let us then close this ugly chapter in our history and build on standing together in our Namibian House, Harambee.

Spreading hatred and divide must be something of the past. The best way to come to terms with above is to create a Truth and Conciliation Commissions which should then separate facts from fiction.

Just also remember that the killing fields have always been with human kind. Before the Germans arrived a lot of killing did happen between the Ovaherero and Nama. There was a time when Jonker Afrikaner had the upper hand and then again the father of Chief Maharero did win the fighting. Surely the Germans were also utterly beaten twice in a timespan of thirty years and now they are best friends with their erstwhile enemies.

I personally also feel that it is very important to keep Germany as our foremost development aid partner for the future.

Thank you for reading and understanding.