Members of the |Khowese Clan, under the leadership of Gaob Hendrik Ismael Witbooi, gathered at Gibeon for the annual Gaob Festival in remembrance of their fallen heroes.

At the festival, Gaob Witbooi led a parade of tribesmen on horseback to a fountain to pay their respects to the late Gaob Cupido Witbooi, who founded it in 1861.

The tribesmen simulated the war fought by the |Khowese Clan under the leadership of the late Gaob Hendrik 'Outa !Nanseb' Witbooi against the German occupation. 

In his address, Gaob Witbooi reminded the people to maintain the significance of the day and keep the memories of the fallen heroes alive.

"Today that we celebrate has a reason why we celebrate it, why we remember it, why we cherish it, why we look at it, and whatever that history is and the significance of that day is, we must protect and jealously guard against the erasing of such an important day."

Moreover, Gaob Witbooi supported the call by the Nama Traditional Leaders Association to the government for the declaration of Genocide Remembrance Day.

"The Nama Traditional Leaders Association, also known by its abbreviations as NTLA, has decided and pleads with the Namibian government that the very first extermination order given on April 12 be recognised as the Genocide Remembrance Day of Namibia because all extermination orders then followed this date."

Gaob Witbooi pledged that as the leader of the |Khowese, he will continue to uphold the moral values of peace, integrity, and transparency.