Nama people representing various sub-tribes of the Nama clan held a Genocide Remembrance Day, paying tribute and honouring their ancestors killed during the 1904-1908 genocide.
The commemoration, organisedby the Nama Traditional Leaders Association was held at Shark Island in Luderitz.
A memorial procession, led by men on horseback set the tone for the commemoration.
Speaking on behalf of the association's Chairperson Goab Dawid Hanse, Goab Hendrik Ismael Witbooi called for unity among the Nama people in pursuit for genocide reparations.
"Let there be unity and peace, let us love one another, foster cohesion and forgiveness," he said.
Goab Witbooi reiterated the call to government to recognise 12 April as a national Genocide Remembrance Day, arguing it is the day 1904 -1908 began at Hornkranz.
Government declared 28 May as Genocide Remembrance Day observed for the first time last year.
"We are not ignoring, we are not harassing, the decision that has been taken by the government of the Republic of Namibia, we are following the government," Witbooi said.
At the commemoration, themed 'Hands off Shark Island', participants formed a human chain demonstrating opposition to the planned expansion of the Luderitz port onto what they termed 'sacred grounds' of Shark Island.
Said Mabos Ortman, member of the NTLA Technical Committee
"The Nama people requested the Namport and the namibian government not to expand the port because of the sanity of Shark Island. This is a living cemetery," he said.
The Ombara of Ovaherero Traditional Authority in the Okamatapati area, Rukambe Uazukuani and some German nationals also attended the commemoration.
"This dust, our ancestors' bones are here, so it's very significant for us to be here, and it's very painful. And the good thing that I observed here is normally when we come here, we use to find those boers tenting and braaing on top of our ancestors. So, those things have been removed. That's very significant, and I applaud the government for that," said Uazukuani.
German national Andrea Hahn said it was painful to witness the memories of Shark Island and sorroundings.
"It touches my heart actually to see and feel what was done by my people," she said.
The commemoration ended with a church service on Sunday.