Ombara Eben || Nguvauva of the Ovambanderu Traditional Authority has appealed to his communities to continue preserving culture and traditional norms, while urging the central government to create a conducive environment aimed at advancing community development.
 
Nguvauva made this remark during the 130th annual Otjiunda commemoration in the Okorukambe constituency.
  
Ombara Nguvauva pointed out that the annual Otjunda gathering brings the Ovambanderu communities together to reconnect and strategise while reflecting on their historical backgrounds.
 
 He said that through these gatherings, discussions such as the importance of education, water provision in rural areas and road infrastructure also remain part of the event agenda.
  
 "This land of our forefathers should remain part of our struggles and continue to advocate for needed development for our people. The issue of agriculture is one of the areas that greatly helps us, as this will also make us not always rely on government support and have a big garden; we shall need water. Therefore, the government should drill boreholes for us, as this will also provide job creation for local people, and to ensure that this happens, please complete the tar road projects, as this will help us a lot, as even the late Sam Nujoma used to say we should always work hard and find the government halfway.”
 
Omaheke's regional governor Pijoo Nganate reassured the Ovambanderu communities that the government is committed to ensuring that development reaches every corner of this country; therefore, traditional authorities have a key role to play for this dream to be fulfilled.
 
Nganate also added that his office remains unyielding in its commitment to complete the journey that late Ombara Kahimemua Nguvauva advocated for his people.
 
“True justice for 1896 and for the genocide that followed means ensuring that descendants of these heroic leaders are restored in dignity, empowered in business and agriculture, and given access to quality education and land. We will continue to work hand in hand with the Ovambanderu traditional authority and all traditional leaders across Omaheke. Development cannot happen in isolation, as I always say: a house is only as strong as the collective strength of all its pillars."
 
The battle of Otjunda, which led to the capture and execution of erstwhile Ovambanderu leader Kahimemua Hiakungairi Nguvauva, was a decisive turning point in the history of the Ovambanderu. The battle took place on 6 May 1896.
 
As part of this year's 130th annual Otjiunda commemoration, the Ovambanderu Traditional Authority also unveiled the directional road signs renamed to Ombara Munjuku Nguvauva II Military Base outside Gobabis.