Staff Reporter
DEPUTY Speaker of the National Assembly Phillipus Katamelo has called on Namibians to embrace forgiveness, unity, and historical truth while preserving the memory of the 1904–1908 genocide during the joint ||Kharas and Hardap regional commemoration held at Shark Island in Lüderitz.
Delivering the keynote address on Genocide Remembrance Day, Katamelo described Shark Island as a place of suffering, endurance, and unfinished remembrance, stressing that the site must continue serving as a symbol of historical truth, justice, and national healing.
“Today we are gathered at Shark Island with hearts heavy with memory and eyes fixed on the truth. This is not an ordinary place, and neither is this an ordinary occasion,” Katamelo said.
He added that Shark Island was used as a concentration camp by the German colonial regime between 1905 and 1907, where Ovaherero and Nama prisoners endured starvation, forced labour, violence, disease, and death.
Katamelo said remembrance should not only focus on the pain of the past, but also on building unity and reconciliation among Namibians.
“You want to forgive the Germans, but you do not want to forgive the one with whom you were born,” he said, urging Namibians to begin the process of forgiveness among themselves.
According to Katamelo, remembrance carries a national responsibility to preserve historical sites, educate future generations, and prevent the distortion or denial of historical truth.
“The work of remembrance is the work of nation-building, because no nation can be whole if it is unwilling to confront the deepest wounds of its past,” he said.
He further stressed that Shark Island should be protected from neglect and desecration, saying the descendants of those who suffered there must guide how the site is preserved and honoured.
Katamelo also highlighted the importance of justice and reconciliation, saying remembrance alone is insufficient if it does not contribute to healing and restorative justice.
“The memory of genocide must challenge us to build a society in which dignity is protected, diversity is valued, and human rights are defended without compromise,” he said.
Addressing young people, Katamelo urged them to take ownership of Namibia’s history and guard against misinformation and manipulation in the digital age.
“You are the custodians of memory in an age that can too easily forget. Learn this history, speak about it with courage, and protect it from distortion,” he said.
He explained the dangers of misinformation, disinformation, and malinformation, warning that historical facts can easily be manipulated if people fail to critically engage with information.
Katamelo further encouraged young Namibians to read and educate themselves about the history of the genocide, including the processes that led to the official recognition and commemoration of Genocide Remembrance Day.
He also reflected on the role of leadership and moral responsibility, saying political and economic decisions should not only be guided by financial considerations, but also by social justice and the upliftment of communities affected by historical injustices.
“The descendants that are gathered here, I say your pain is not invisible, your history is not forgotten, and your call for dignity is heard,” Katamelo said.
He reaffirmed government’s commitment, under President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, to preserving genocide memory through education, historical preservation, and continued support for justice and reconciliation efforts.
Katamelo concluded by urging Namibians to remain united and committed to building a peaceful and inclusive society grounded in historical truth and mutual respect.
“May this place forever remind us that remembrance is an act of responsibility and that memory must come with moral renewal,” he said.
Photo: MICT Kharas Regional Office
