The long-running battle for the heart of the OvaHerero paramount chieftaincy has deepened, with rival factions once again choosing to hold separate Red Flag Day commemorations, which many say further expose divisions within one of Namibia’s most influential traditional communities.
This is despite repeated calls for reconciliation and unity from within the traditional community.
According to sources, the police were expected to mediate between the rival camps ahead of the commemorations, amid concerns that the annual event, historically observed as a single symbol of OvaHerero identity and solidarity, is increasingly becoming a reflection of the community’s leadership dispute.
Confidente further understands that following the police intervention, the factions had agreed to join hands and commemorate together.
However, recent social media posts indicate otherwise.
As it stands, one commemoration, organised under Chief Hoze Riruako, is scheduled for the weekend starting 17 July 2026, while the rival faction aligned to Chief Mutjinde Katjiua will hold its own event a weekend later.
The parallel commemorations come as both men continue to lay claim to the OvaHerero paramount chieftaincy, with the dispute still before the courts.
A traditional historian is among the critics who say this marks a sharp departure from tradition.
For generations, Red Flag Day served as a unifying occasion where OvaHerero people gathered in one place to honour their history, culture and ancestors.
However, the unresolved chieftaincy dispute has fractured those celebrations, with previous separate commemorations ending in confrontations and violent clashes between supporters of the rival factions.
The expert urged both camps to set aside personal differences and restore the spirit of unity that once defined the annual commemoration.
While acknowledging that holding separate events is not in itself the central issue, the historian warned that continued frag-mentation risks weakening the social cohesion of the OvaHerero community at a time when unity is needed more than ever.
In an exclusive interview with Confidente, OvaHerero traditional guru and historian Jonathan Katjimune said that, traditionally, there is supposed to be one commemoration.
However, due to divisions within the OvaHerero community, what was once impossible has now become possible.
Katjimune further said that the unity of the OvaHerero people is mainly divided at the leadership level, adding that the two separate Red Flag Day commemorations can be left as they are.
“It can be brought into being if at all we have one leader who can now appeal for unity.
Since we have two camps and two leaderships, it will always reflect division,” said Katjimune.
He further added that if the two faction leaders can swallow their pride, it would be much easier for them to unite.
“As long as you can put forth that I will leave my pride, my being, sacrifice it to the welfare of the OvaHerero people, then it will be much easier,” he said.
On his part, Riruako, expressed gratitude for the outcome of discussions on the Red Flag Day commemoration between the two factions, which were recently held in Okahandja.
“I am thrilled, happy and elated. It all went well. In Okahandja, the discussions mediated by the police were successful and fruitful,” Riruako said.
He further added that the discussions undoubtedly averted chaos and violent altercations that could have resulted in bloodshed.
“There will never be a single day when I will encourage the OvaHerero people to fight amongst themselves or to see the OvaHerero people fighting other racial or ethnic groups in this country,” he said.
Meanwhile, Katjiua confirmed that preparations for his faction’s Red Flag Day commemoration, scheduled for 24 to 26 July 2026, are in full swing, describing it as one of the largest commemorative events expected to take place in Namibia this year.
Katjiua said the event would remain centred on the historical purpose of the gathering, including honouring ancestral leadership, remembering warriors and community figures who shaped OvaHerero history, preserving historical memory around resistance to colonial rule and the 1904 to 1908 genocide in German South West Africa, strengthening cultural identity, and educating younger generations about their heritage.
“The commemoration is not only a memorial event, but it is also an expression of cultural survival, historical consciousness and ongoing resistance to erasure,” Katjiua said.
He said speakers would come from various segments of the OvaHerero community, including youth, women, traditional leadership and leaders involved in different cultural activities.
Commenting on the separate commemorations, describing it as “an undesirable development in our history as a community”, but expressed confidence that it would eventually pass.
Katjiua also disputed claims that the two factions had agreed to hold a joint commemoration, saying the agreement reached on 7 May 2026 only related to reducing witnesses in the ongoing court proceedings to speed up the matter and reduce legal costs.
He said the agreement included discussions on unity and the possibility of hosting joint events, but maintained that his faction had honoured the memorandum of understanding while the other faction had breached it by exceeding the agreed number of witnesses.
According to Katjiua, the memorandum was later declared null and void by the opposing faction’s leader.
“The two separate commemorations are a manifestation of the breach of the memorandum of understanding and its subsequent declaration as a nullity to serve the interests of those who want to see disunity amongst the OvaHerero,” he added.
The OvaHerero Traditional Authourity chairperson chief Vipuira Kapuuo, declined a telephonic interview with Confidente, expressing concern that his comments could be misinterpreted.
He, however, said he was not in good health to grant a physical interview.
Confidente also reached out to Okahandja Police Station commander Mathias Tjarimba, who referred the newspaper to senior inspector Maureen Mbeha. However, the effort yielded no response.
