Nama Traditional Leaders Association

Also known as: NTLA

Organization representing Nama traditional leaders; advocates for genocide recognition, reparations from Germany, and community participation in development and historical justice processes.

2022-10-292026-10-21

News reports

Order a long-term news report on Nama Traditional Leaders Association

Every mention in the Namibian press over the period you choose, compiled as a PDF or Word document.

What’s been said

Key points drawn from coverage. Tap a point to see the original sentence.

October 2026
17 OctThe Namibian
Nama Traditional Leaders Association called on Germany to formally recognise the 1904-1908 Nama-Ovaherero genocide
Source
“The Nama Traditional Leaders Association has called on Germany to formally recognise the 1904 to 1908 Nama-Ovaherero genocide.”
Nama leaders demand genuine reparations from Germany
June 2026
3 JunWindhoek Observer
NTLA has argued before the Parliamentary Committee on Constitutional Review and Reform
Source
“As NTLA has also argued before the Parliamentary Committee on Constitutional Review and Reform, Namibia's enacted laws and regulations do not consistently reflect constitutional principles in practice.”
“GENOCIDE TO RENAISSANCE”
3 JunWindhoek Observer
NTLA has elevated indigenous and economic justice discourse to national prominence
Source
“it is increasingly undeniable that the Association helped elevate indigenous and economic justice discourse to a point where silence is no longer politically sustainable.”
“GENOCIDE TO RENAISSANCE”
May 2026
30 MayThe Namibian
Nama Traditional Leaders Association has cautioned that Namibia's development push risks repeating historical exclusion patterns
Source
“The Nama Traditional Leaders Association (NTLA) has cautioned that Namibia's push for development risks repeating historical patterns of exclusion if affected communities remain sidelined from ownership and decision-making.”
Nama Traditional Leaders Association warns against exclusive development
April 2026
14 AprNew Era
The Nama Traditional Leaders Association is calling on the government to block industrial activities on Shark Island
Source
“The Nama Traditional Leaders Association (NTLA) is calling on the government to block the mooted industrial activities on Shark Island in Lüderitz.”
‘Hands off Shark Island’
13 AprNew Era
Nama Traditional Leaders Association (NTLA) held weeklong remembrance event at Lüderitz
Source
“The NTLA held the weeklong remembrance event at Lüderitz.”
Hanse: Don’t overlook our history
13 AprNew Era
Nama Traditional Leaders Association should have equal representation and decision-making authority in reparations processes
Source
“He said the event should result in tangible outcomes, particularly progress in reparations negotiations that fully include representatives of affected communities such as the Nama Traditional Leaders Association.”
Remembrance without justice meaningless – Minnie

Politics

Nama leaders demand formal genocide recognition, apology, reparations from Germany

The News

The Nama Traditional Leaders Association has called on Germany to formally recognise the 1904–1908 Nama-Ovaherero genocide and move beyond acknowledgment to take concrete steps including an official apology and reparations. Gaob David Frederick says the Nama people support a motion in the German Bundestag by Die Linke, and that Nama and Ovaherero representatives must be directly involved in reparations discussions, with reparations addressing land dispossession, compensation, and rehabilitation distinct from ordinary development assistance.

17 October 2026 · The Namibian →

Saturday 17 October

Nama leaders demand formal genocide recognition, apology, reparations from Germany
The Nama Traditional Leaders Association has called on Germany to formally recognise the 1904–1908 Nama-Ovaherero genocide and move beyond acknowledgment to take concrete steps including an official apology and reparations. Gaob David Frederick says the Nama people support a motion in the German Bundestag by Die Linke, and that Nama and Ovaherero representatives must be directly involved in reparations discussions, with reparations addressing land dispossession, compensation, and rehabilitation distinct from ordinary development assistance.
17 October 2026 · The Namibian →

Thursday 1 October

Fifteen civil society groups receive N$1.2m grant funding
A total of 15 civil society organisations have received N$1.2 million in grants to strengthen community rights and advocacy regarding land, wildlife, and natural resource management, awarded under an initiative by IRDNC in partnership with NDT and funded by the European Union.
1 October 2026 · The Namibian →

Tuesday 11 August

Ovaherero authority rejects genocide declaration, vows continued legal fight
The Ovaherero Traditional Authority has maintained its rejection of the Namibia-Germany joint declaration on the 1904-08 genocide, accusing the governments of excluding descendants of victims from negotiations. The OTA, alongside the Landless People's Movement and Nama Traditional Leaders Association, has taken the matter to the High Court.
11 August 2026 · The Namibian →

Thursday 4 June

Namibia marks second Genocide Remembrance Day with calls for justice
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 →

Wednesday 3 June

Government remembrance programme frames traditional leaders' concerns as misinformation
An opinion piece critiques a Namibian government remembrance programme held in Lüderitz on 27 May 2026, arguing that by framing traditional leaders' and affected communities' concerns as "misinformation," the programme treats legitimate structural and historical critiques as a communication problem rather than engaging with substantive objections to the government's development model.
3 June 2026 · Windhoek Observer →

Saturday 30 May

Nama Traditional Leaders warn against sidelining communities in development
The Nama Traditional Leaders Association cautioned that Namibia's development push risks repeating historical exclusion patterns if affected communities remain sidelined from ownership and decision-making. The association argued that a true renaissance should include restorative justice, equitable ownership, cultural protection and meaningful participation in national wealth creation, rather than corporate social responsibility donations used as substitutes for meaningful redistribution.
30 May 2026 · The Namibian →

Tuesday 14 April

Nama leaders oppose industrial development on Shark Island
The Nama Traditional Leaders Association is calling on the government to block planned industrial activities on Shark Island in Lüderitz, a site where Nama and Herero people perished during the 1904-1908 German colonial genocide. The association argues that the site, which they describe as a "living cemetery," must be preserved with dignity and respect rather than disturbed by oil, gas, or green hydrogen projects.
14 April 2026 · New Era →

Monday 13 April

Genocide remembrance week educates youth on colonial atrocities
The Nama Traditional Leaders Association held a weeklong remembrance event at Lüderitz to educate Namibians about crimes committed against Nama and Ovaherero communities by the German colonial regime. The event brought together descendants and traditional leaders to transfer knowledge of the atrocities and their ongoing impact, with calls for the genocide to be integrated into formal education and for government action on historical injustices.
13 April 2026 · New Era →
Justice essential for meaningful genocide remembrance – Minnie
LPM councillor William Minnie says the annual Genocide Remembrance Walk in Lüderitz (10–12 April) must advance calls for justice, reparations and full recognition of the 1904–1908 Nama and Herero genocide, not merely ceremonial remembrance. He argues government must support institutionalising genocide education and inclusive reparations processes led by affected communities.
13 April 2026 · New Era →