Also known as: Hottentotten
Nama — people of Namibia who experienced colonial-era genocide (1904–1908) and are seeking reparations from Germany.
Key points drawn from coverage. Tap a point to see the original sentence.
The Namibian
Nama publicly rejected Germany's reparations deal for colonial genocide
“The victimised Herero and Nama communities publicly rejected the deal, yet both governments declared the matter settled anyway.”
The Architecture of Forgetting: Namibia and the Administration of GriefNew Era
Nama were targeted by genocide committed by German colonial forces between 1904 and 1908
“The JD remains one of the most closely watched issues in Namibia-Germany relations as it seeks to address the genocide committed by German colonial forces against the Ovaherero and Nama people between 1904 and 1908.”
Genocide: Germany willing to apologiseNew Era
Nama were systematically exterminated by fascist Germany in 1904-1908
“Genocide pertaining to Namibia refers to fascist Germany's systematic extermination of Ovaherero and Nama in 1904- 1908, in what has come to be known as the 20th century's first genocide in the then "German South West Africa."”
Opinion – Genocide: Geopolitical factors, reparations claimThe Namibian
Nama were targeted in an ethnic extermination by Germany between 1904-1908
“Between 1904-1908, Germany launched an ethnic extermination against the Nama and Ovaherero people.”
Genocide Remembrance Day: A Path Towards ReconciliationThe Namibian
Nama means 'leopard'
“Garub, which means 'leopard' in Nama, now known for its wind-swept waterhole, was once the site of a strategic military station.”
Born of War, Raised by Wind: Namibia’s Wild HorsesThe Namibian
Nama call Kalahari truffles !nabas (also spelled //habas)
“Kalahari truffles, commonly known by their Nama name '!nabas' (also spelled '//habas'), appear in the Kalahari sands of the Northern Cape, eastern and north-eastern Namibia and Botswana after a season of abundant rainfall.”
An impromptu Kalahari-truffle picnicThe Namibian
Nama people were interned in concentration camps established by Germans between 1904-1908
“Between 1904 -1908, the Germans established concentration camps where the indigenous Herero and Nama people were interned.”
Namibia: A Country DividedThe Namibian
Nama agencies pursued reparation claims including court case in New York
“The actions by agencies of Ovaherero and Nama include a widely observed court case in New York.”
Genocide Remains: Germany Still Has Work To Do…An opinion essay argues that the global legal order for managing genocide crimes was built to serve the nations that created it rather than victims, and that gestures like Germany's €1.1 billion offer over 30 years—while rejecting the term "reparation"—exemplify how international institutions manage grief rather than deliver justice.
23 June 2026 · The Namibian →
An opinion essay argues that the global legal order for managing genocide crimes was built to serve the nations that created it rather than victims, and that gestures like Germany's €1.1 billion offer over 30 years—while rejecting the term "reparation"—exemplify how international institutions manage grief rather than deliver justice.
23 June 2026 · 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 will travel to Ghana on Wednesday for a high-level conference on reparatory justice for the transatlantic slave trade, where heads of state and policymakers will discuss operationalizing a UN resolution recognizing the trade as crimes against humanity. Namibia will draw on its experiences with colonial dispossession and the genocide against Ovaherero and Nama communities (1904–1908), and the president will then undertake a state visit to Tanzania from 20–21 June to strengthen bilateral cooperation.
16 June 2026 · The Namibian →
Outgoing German Ambassador Thorsten Hütter expressed optimism that Namibia and Germany will conclude a long-awaited Joint Declaration addressing Germany's colonial-era genocide against the Ovaherero and Nama people (1904–1908) by the end of 2026. Hütter said Germany is willing to apologise and that discussions with affected communities showed many Namibians want both recognition of the past and a stronger future partnership.
15 June 2026 · New Era →
Namibia observed its second Genocide Remembrance Day to reflect on the 1904–1908 genocide against the Ovaherero, Nama, Damara, and ≠Nkhoen San peoples. The commemoration emphasises the need for truth-telling, restorative justice, and Germany's full acknowledgment of responsibility for the genocide.
4 June 2026 · The Namibian →
The San Chiefs Council and Damara King's Council are demanding formal inclusion in Namibia's ongoing genocide reparations negotiations with Germany, citing historical atrocities including extermination campaigns, displacement and forced labour affecting their communities. The councils are calling for seats at the negotiating table alongside Ovaherero and Nama representatives, and for reparations and restitution including compensation for ancestral lands and cultural losses to directly benefit affected descendant communities.
31 May 2026 · The Namibian →
The Okandjoze Chiefs' Assembly on Genocide has called on the Namibian government to adopt a "business unusual" approach to genocide apology and reparations, saying years of discussions have produced little action. The group urged the government to move away from symbolic discussions and engage descendants of Ovaherero, Ovambanderu and Nama communities differently on restorative justice.
27 May 2026 · Windhoek Observer →
The UN General Assembly adopted a resolution on 25 March recognising the transatlantic slave trade as a crime against humanity, with 123 votes in favour and 52 abstentions. Namibian subject experts say the vote bolsters local calls for justice regarding colonial-era genocide and reparations, and could pressure countries such as Germany to reconsider responses to demands of Namibians affected by the 1904 to 1908 genocide.
22 April 2026 · The Namibian →
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 →
Patrick Isaacks, a speedy forward from Walvis Bay who played for Blue Waters and helped the coastal team win the Premiership title, has died. Blue Waters Sport Club released a statement expressing shock and condolences to his family.
27 February 2026 · New Era →
An opinion piece argues that geopolitical tensions—including Germany's support for Israel and Namibia's backing of Palestinian statehood—have hindered negotiations for reparations over the 1904–1908 genocide of Ovaherero and Nama. The author calls for Namibia to strengthen its negotiating position by unifying internally, centering victim communities' voices, and demanding legal recognition and direct reparations.
23 February 2026 · New Era →
Germany's commitment to reckon with its colonial past in Namibia has weakened significantly under the new CDU/CSU-SPD government, which mentions colonialism only briefly in its coalition agreement and makes no reference to Namibia. A newly appointed state secretary for culture dismisses adding colonialism to official memory culture as "dangerous relativism," citing the Holocaust as the singular reference point for German state ethics.
15 February 2026 · The Namibian →
An opinion piece examines Bernadus Swartbooi's calls for southern Namibian independence in light of historical land dispossession and upcoming oil revenues, arguing that Nigeria's civil war over oil-driven regional wealth division offers cautionary lessons for resolving Namibia's north-south divide through fair resource sharing rather than armed conflict.
28 January 2026 · The Namibian →