The descendants and community of Ovaherero gathered at Okahandja for the 103rd Otjiserandu Commemoration of the legacy of Chief Samuel Maharero.

The Commemoration, also known as Red Flag Day, was held under the theme "Remembering the reburial of Chief Samuel Maharero's remains in Namibia". 

Chief Maharero is remembered for his role as a leader of the Ovaherero during the resistance against German colonial rule, during the 1904 Ovaherero uprising.  

He led Ovaherero fighters during the battle of Ohamakari, also known as the Battle of Waterberg.

After the battle, Maharero also led a group of Ovaherero people across the border into Botswana, where he lived in exile until his death.

He was buried in Botswana, but in 1923, his remains were exhumed and returned to Namibia.  

His reburial at Okahandja became a moment of remembrance for the Ovaherero people and laid the foundation for the annual Otjiserandu Commemoration.

"The greatness of our people is anchored on the day that chief Jose Agamomomigutto has informed our people that due to the suffering that we went through every year conglomerate here in your numbers to commemorate the passing of our heroic commander in chief Samuel,  You cannot decide to change facts of history, History is history," said PDM leader, McHenry Venaani, 

Swapo Party Deputy Secretary General Uahekua Herunga spoke on behalf of the Secretary General Sophia Shaningwa.

"The SWAPO party-led government remains committed to ensuring that sacrifices of our forefathers and foremothers are never in vain. Through accelerated socio-economic development, the empowerment of our youth, industrialisation, the beneficiation of our natural resources and the creation of meaningful employment, we translate historical sacrifice into present-day progress."

The annual gathering is traditionally held around the 24th of August and is organised under the Maharero Traditional Authority.