Also known as: Mbanderu
Indigenous community in Namibia affected by 1904–1908 German colonial genocide; central figures in ongoing reparations negotiations.
Key points drawn from coverage. Tap a point to see the original sentence.
Windhoek Observer
Ovaherero have argued that they were insufficiently involved in negotiations and agreement does not reflect their demands
“The Ovaherero and Nama have consistently argued that they were insufficiently involved in the negotiations and that the agreement does not adequately reflect their demands for reparations.”
Reparations Must Be More Than a SettlementNew Era
Ovaherero 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
Ovaherero 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
Ovaherero were deliberately killed estimated two thirds in South West Africa
“The first genocide of the 20th century took place in South West Africa, where an estimated two thirds of the Ovaherero, a third of the Nama and numerous Damara and San people were deliberately killed, with lasting consequences for the descendants of the victims until today.”
Germany’s Colonial Memory FailureThe Namibian
Ovaherero 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
Ovaherero fought a bloody battle against the Germans in 1904
“This idea speaks to work by Nicola Brandt, who presents 'No Monument for the Fallen', which features an image of Katuvangua Migal Maendo, the great-granddaughter of Petrus Hui, looking out over a landscape alive with the memory of the Ovaherero's bloody battle against the Germans in 1904.”
Namibian Landscapes – Dreamy And DireThe Namibian
Ovaherero 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…Amnesty International has applied to be admitted as a "friend of the court" in a High Court challenge to the Namibia-Germany Joint Declaration on the 1904-1908 genocide, bringing international human rights expertise to debates over what meaningful reparations should entail for the Ovaherero and Nama communities.
13 August 2026 · Windhoek Observer →
Amnesty International has applied to be admitted as a "friend of the court" in a High Court challenge to the Namibia-Germany Joint Declaration on the 1904-1908 genocide, bringing international human rights expertise to debates over what meaningful reparations should entail for the Ovaherero and Nama communities.
13 August 2026 · Windhoek Observer →
Bilateral talks on a joint declaration for colonial genocide sideline community representatives and reduce indigenous groups to passive observers, according to this opinion piece. The Namibian government bears responsibility, with Germany as accomplice, as Germany avoids full recognition and conditions its admission on it being a crime only "from today's perspective" to avoid reparations obligations.
26 July 2026 · The Namibian →
An opinion piece argues that Namibia should not retreat from demands for true and fair restorative justice regarding the transatlantic slave trade, colonialism, and genocide. The author cites Namibia's commitment at the UN and through the Accra Next Steps Commitments to pursue compensation for people of African descent affected by these historical injustices.
24 July 2026 · Windhoek Observer →
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 →
At the 130th commemoration of Chief Kahimemua Hiakungairi Nguvauva, who was killed by German colonisers on 12 June 1896, President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah praised him as a visionary leader who predicted the arrival of German settlers and resisted their occupation of Namibian land.
16 June 2026 · New Era →
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 Okandjoze Chiefs' Assembly on Genocide has rejected the Joint Declaration between Namibia and Germany, telling President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah that it is "beyond reform" and fails to meet international reparations standards for the 1904-1908 genocide. The traditional leaders called for a new national conference, stronger domestic involvement of descendants, and alignment with the African Union's Algiers Declaration instead.
3 March 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 →
The University of Namibia's 2025 visual arts graduate exhibition, on display at the National Art Gallery of Namibia until 14 February, features work by six final-year students centred on motherhood, personal trauma and Namibian cultural heritage. Key installations include textiles honouring childbirth and motherhood, masks reflecting illness and resilience, and works engaging with the Herero and Nama genocide and indigenous cultural practices.
7 February 2026 · The Namibian →