The Ovaherero and Nama people held a march from UN Plaza in Soweto to the Independence Memorial Museum in Windhoek in memory of the genocide of the 1904–1907 wars of extermination.
About 300 people gathered at the museum, where the official announcement of Genocide Remembrance Day as a public holiday from 2025 on was made by the Speaker of the National Assembly, Prof. Peter Katjavivi.
The declaration of Genocide Remembrance Day is not just a symbolic act; it signifies the beginning of an important journey of healing, reconciliation, and education.
"As is the nature of any democratic process, there were challenges and obstacles along the way. However, through meticulous verification and thoughtful consideration, the 28th of May was identified as the most appropriate day for Genocide Remembrance Day. I extend my heartfelt thanks to His Excellency Dr. Nangolo Mbumba, President of the Republic of Namibia, and the members of the Cabinet for their positive response to this historic recommendation by the National Assembly," said Katjavivi.
Various speakers made statements at the event. The Chairperson of the Nama Genocide Development Trust, Salmaan Jacobs, said efforts to bring descendants of the genocide together should always be supported.
"The 28th of May 2024 stands out as a day, which seems to provide some consensus to the affected communities that we have a day that we can consider a day we can agree upon. The day, once again, where our indomitable human spirit prevailed and German imperialist settlers succumbed and declared all concentration camps to be closed."
The mover of the Motion for Genocide Remembrance Day in the National Assembly, former MP Usutuaije Maamberua, gave a horror account of what the Shark Island prisoners experienced.
"This day stands as a stark reminder of the depths of human cruelty and the resilience of the human spirit. Prisoners huddled together in tents on the far end of the cold and barren island of Shark Island suffered unimaginable horrors. According to reports, over 1,000 Nama prisoners alone had perished by April 1907, with as many as 80% of those sent to Shark Island never leaving its shores again. Women and girls faced pervasive rape and sexual violence, leaving lasting scars in our community. Forced sterilisation and other forms of reproductive coercion were implemented, stripping away our autonomy and perpetuating intergenerational trauma. As we commemorate this day, let us not only remember the victims but also confront the uncomfortable truths of our past."
However, not all descendants agree on the proclaimed date.
The Ovaherero Genocide Foundation's Nandi Mazeingo said October 2nd would have been the most appropriate, as it was the day genocide against the Ovaherero was declared.