As Namibia approaches Genocide Remembrance Day on 28 May, former SWANU President and retired Member of Parliament Usutuaije Maamberua reflects on the roots of the historic day.

He first tabled the motion in 2016.

Maamberua shared the significance behind the proposal and the importance of collective remembrance.

In 2016, then-SWANU president Usutuaije Maamberua introduced a motion in the National Assembly, urging the government to declare an annual Genocide Remembrance Day, proposing 28 May as the most fitting date. 

What was a dream nine years ago has become reality – set to be commemorated for the first time in Namibian history.

"I only thought we could only settle for a motion where we request to have a Remembrance Day, so that is why I tabled the motion. To request the National Assembly to debate, discuss and go out across the whole of Namibia to verify whether what we as SWANU thought was the thing to do to have a genocide Remembrance Day was actually agreed the rest of Namibia, and it's so transpired, actually, that the majority of Namibians, including the affected communities, also agreed about the need for the Genocide Remembrance Day."

He reflected on the true meaning of the day as "more for the affected communities, specifically the Ovaherero and the Nama, who suffered the most in the genocide. It's a day for them to reflect, to memorialise the events of genocide in their own way and also in a way that is inclusive in terms of both ethnic groups. It's an event that took place on Namibian soil, and those who were affected would also want to memorialise this date together with the rest of the Namibians."

Maamberua stressed the need to commemorate together with those in the diaspora, whose ancestors were displaced across neighbouring countries.

Now, nine years after the motion was introduced, Genocide Remembrance Day will serve as a national moment of reflection and unity and a commitment to never forget – even across generations and borders.