THE Bondelswarts clan of the Nama people has called on Government to be resettled on their ancestral land north of the Orange River.
Acting Bondelswarts Chief Josef Christiaan made this call on Saturday at the clan’s centenary commemoration and the unveiling of a memorial in honour of late Commandant Jacob Marengo. “We want to be resettled on our land north of the Orange River.As is evidenced by historical objects visible all over this land, we have a historic tie with the land of the Orange River,” Christiaan said.Christiaan made the request for land in the presence of President Hifikepunye Pohamba, who officiated at the unveiling ceremony.Christiaan said the economic revival of the said area would only be possible if its eco-tourism potential was unlocked.”For this to happen we shall need the Orange River, as well as access to the objects of our history like the graves on private land and old trails that our ancestors used when they were traversing the area,” he said.”We realise that in a democracy only those that are demanding vigorously and articulating their needs are given … their demands,” Christiaan remarked.”We want to be resettled on our land north of the Orange River.As is evidenced by historical objects visible all over this land, we have a historic tie with the land of the Orange River,” Christiaan said.Christiaan made the request for land in the presence of President Hifikepunye Pohamba, who officiated at the unveiling ceremony.Christiaan said the economic revival of the said area would only be possible if its eco-tourism potential was unlocked.”For this to happen we shall need the Orange River, as well as access to the objects of our history like the graves on private land and old trails that our ancestors used when they were traversing the area,” he said.”We realise that in a democracy only those that are demanding vigorously and articulating their needs are given … their demands,” Christiaan remarked.
