The Ovambanderu community is planning to commemorate 100 years of migration to Epukiro settlement in the Omaheke Region.

This was revealed by Chief Ebben Tjozongo Nguvauva of the Ovambanderu Traditional Authority at a media conference in Windhoek.

Ovambanderu people were moved into concentration camps after the battle of 1904, which followed the one at Epako and Otjunda in 1896 that culminated in the execution of their leader Kahimemua Nguvauva in Okahandja on 12 June that year.

After the death of Nguvauva, the community was forcefully put under the leadership of Chief Samuel Maharero by German commander, Colonel Leutwein.

Karijama Ndjarakana, the Ovambanderu Traditional Authority historian, was speaking on behalf of Ombara Ebben Nguvauva. 

"It was announced that all tribes living in these concentration camps should vacate and depart to Epukiro and Aminius reserves. The Ovaherero community left for Aminius Reserve under the leadership of Chief Hosea Kutako. Unfortunately, the Ovambanderu community was without a chief and had been led by Pastor Fillemon Handura." 

The commemoration of the Ovambanderu community will commence on 31 October to the 2nd of November at Omaueuozonjanda in Epukiro Constituency.

It will be marked under the theme "Remembering our journey, celebrating our legacy." 

The aim of the centenary commemoration is to share the origin of the Ovambanderu people. 

It will be manifested with a series of cultural activities and demonstrations of the migration of the people from the concentration camps to Epukiro. 

Another two traditional authorities from the same area planned to have similar but separate commemorations.