Also known as: Chief Riruako · Dr Hoze Riruako · Dr. Hoze Riruako
Ovaherero Traditional Authority chief claiming paramount chief position, advocates for land allocation and genocide reparations in ongoing factional dispute.
Key points drawn from coverage. Tap a point to see the original sentence.
The Namibian
Hoze Riruako is supported as chief by one OTA faction
New Era
Academic Hoze Riruako was elected as paramount chief by faction backed by Kapuuo
“Meanwhile, another faction, backed by Kapuuo, elected another academic, Hoze Riruako, as paramount chief.”
Struggle for Ovaherero throne continuesWindhoek Observer
Dr Hoze Riruako was elected paramount chief during senate meeting at Otjimbingwe in February 2023
“The process later led to the election of Dr Hoze Riruako during a senate meeting at Otjimbingwe in February 2023.”
Ovaherero chieftaincy battle costs reach N$10mThe Namibian
Hoze Riruako expressed concern over unrecognised traditional leaders robbing them of contributions and synergies
“However, after his meeting with the president Riruako, expressed concern over unrecognised traditional leaders, describing the matter as robbing them of their contributions and synergies.”
Riruako visit not recognition as paramount chief – PresidencyInformanté
Hoze Riruako paid a courtesy call on the President at State House
“Riruako, who was accompanied by members of his delegation from the Ovaherero Traditional Authority, paid a courtesy call on the President at State House.”
President meets Ovaherero chief to discuss land and genocide reparationsInformanté
Riruako described the engagement as constructive
“Speaking after the meeting, Riruako described the engagement as constructive and stressed the importance of continued dialogue in addressing historical concerns while promoting national unity and mutual understanding among Namibians.”
President meets Ovaherero chief to discuss land and genocide reparationsNew Era
Hoze Riruako led the Ovaherero Traditional Authority faction
“The Ovaherero Traditional Authority faction led by academic Hoze Riruako yesterday met President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah at State House.”
Ovaherero double down on ancestral land, genocideNew Era
Hoze Riruako said the meeting focused on concrete proposals for ancestral land and genocide reparations
“Shooting from the hip, Riruako said the meeting focused on concrete proposals the Ovaherero community wants the government to consider, particularly on ancestral land, recognition of early liberation fighters and the long-running campaign for justice over the 1904–1908 genocide.”
Ovaherero double down on ancestral land, genocideThe Namibian
Chief Hoze Riruako has urged government to allocate land to disenfranchised Namibians instead of waiting for genocide reparations
“Ovaherero Traditional Authority chief Hoze Riruako has urged the government to allocate land to disenfranchised Namibians instead of waiting for genocide reparation negotiations to conclude.”
Chief Riruako demands land for Ovaherero without waiting for genocide reparationsThe Namibian
Riruako said there is an abundance of unoccupied land which the Herero population should be given a chance to acquire
“Riruako said there is an abundance of unoccupied land which the Herero population of over 300 000 people should be given a chance to acquire.”
Chief Riruako demands land for Ovaherero without waiting for genocide reparationsThe Ovaherero Traditional Authority, which currently has two paramount chiefs both claiming legitimacy, insists its people remain united despite factional divisions. OTA officials said at Red Flag Day commemorations that internal skirmishes do not constitute division, and framed the remembrance as collective memory tied to the 1904–1908 genocide and ongoing pursuit of reparations.
13 hours ago · The Namibian →
The Ovaherero Traditional Authority, which currently has two paramount chiefs both claiming legitimacy, insists its people remain united despite factional divisions. OTA officials said at Red Flag Day commemorations that internal skirmishes do not constitute division, and framed the remembrance as collective memory tied to the 1904–1908 genocide and ongoing pursuit of reparations.
13 hours ago · The Namibian →
Minister of Urban and Rural Development James Sankwasa has raised alarm over what he described as "underground capture" of Namibia's traditional authorities, warning that certain individuals are attempting to destabilise customary leadership structures. He stressed that recognition of traditional leaders will follow customary laws and cultural practices, and cautioned against what he termed the "over-democratisation" of traditional authorities.
17 June 2026 · Windhoek Observer →
President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah did not attend Genocide Remembrance Day events held at Shark Island and in six regions, drawing criticism from political and community leaders, though the vice president attended events in Ohangwena. The president's absence came despite an active public schedule that included attending agricultural and cultural festivals and other state events.
31 May 2026 · The Namibian →
Four years after being brought to the High Court in 2022, the battle over the Paramount Chief position of the Ovaherero remains unsettled. Ovitoto chief Vipuira Kapuuo, chairman of the Ovaherero Traditional Authority's Chiefs' Council, contends that customary law dictates the council chairman becomes acting paramount chief upon the death of the incumbent; he is seeking a court order to declare himself acting paramount chief and to nullify a December 2021 meeting where academic Mutjinde Katjiua was elected paramount chief.
18 May 2026 · New Era →
Legal costs in the dispute over the Ovaherero Traditional Authority paramount chieftaincy have reached an estimated N$10 million. Chief Vipuira Kapuuo continues his court challenge against professor Mutjinde Katjiua's claim to the position, arguing that as chairperson of the Chief's Council he is the rightful acting paramount chief and that a council meeting held in December 2021 that endorsed Katjiua was unlawful.
8 May 2026 · Windhoek Observer →
The Presidency clarified that Hoze Riruako's meeting with President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah should not be interpreted as recognition of him as paramount chief of the OvaHerero Traditional Authority, saying the matter remains before the courts and the executive cannot decide issues under judicial adjudication. The traditional authority has been disputed between Riruako's and Mutjinde Katjiua's factions.
10 March 2026 · The Namibian →
President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah met with Hoze Riruako of the Ovaherero Traditional Authority to discuss land, genocide reparations, and community concerns. Riruako described the engagement as constructive and emphasized the importance of continued dialogue on historical issues.
7 March 2026 · Informanté →
The Ovaherero Traditional Authority faction led by Hoze Riruako met President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah to advocate for quota-based land allocation for historically dispossessed communities, restitution of ancestral land rights, and renewed negotiations with Germany over 1904–1908 genocide reparations. Riruako said the Ovaherero community wants these issues addressed through Namibia's own development policies rather than relying solely on German compensation, and urged the government to formally recognize early liberation fighters and traditional leaders.
6 March 2026 · New Era →
Ovaherero Traditional Authority chief Hoze Riruako has called on the government to allocate unoccupied land to the Herero population rather than wait for genocide reparation negotiations to conclude, clarifying that the initiative does not aim to reclaim legally acquired private land.
6 March 2026 · The Namibian →