Chief Hosea Kutako memorial museum to promote cultural tourism – Mbumba

President Nangolo Mumba says the Chief Hosea Kutako Memorial Museum and Homestead Shrine can promote cultural tourism in the Omaheke region.

Mbumba was speaking at the inauguration of the museum at Tsoasis in the Omaheke region yesterday.

“I urge the National Heritage Council to work closely with the Omaheke Regional Council, traditional leaders and economic actors to unlock opportunities for the promotion of small businesses to thrive in this area through cultural tourism,” he said.

Mumba highlighted the importance of looking after the memorial museum as it is also a tribute to the memory of Hage Geingob who initiated the construction of the site.

“Look after it, in memory of chief Hosea Kutako, an icon, a symbol of resistance against oppression and a national hero.”

This comes after descendants of Kutako claimed they have been excluded from an unveiling ceremony of the chief’s memorial homestead to commemorate Kutako’s role in Namibia’s liberation.

Kutako, who died in 1970, petitioned the United Nations to remove the then South West Africa from South Africa’s rule. He also founded the South West Africa National Union, known as Swanu of Namibia today.

Mbumba postponed the unveiling ceremony in November to attend the inauguration ceremony of Botswana’s new president, Duma Boko, which was scheduled for the same day as Kutako’s shrine unveiling.

Along with the museum, Kutako is remembered through the Hosea Kutako International Airport, Hosea Kutako Drive and a statue in front of the parliament

Mbumba said the Kutako family, under the leadership of the late Ondangere Mungendje, agreed with the decision to declare the site a national heritage site in accordance with the National Heritage Act.

“On the 9th of April 2021, president Geingob officiated the groundbreaking ceremony,” he said.

“I am pleased to inform the Namibian people that we made a promise to renovate this dwelling place to reflect the stature of a great leader of the Namibian people and to accord him the respect he deserves.

“It is a promise that we have kept. Ladies and gentlemen, it is not a coincidence that we are inaugurating this museum and shrine on the 10th of December which is the United Nations International Human Rights Day.

Chief Kutako was a survivor of the first genocide of the 20th century against the Ovaherero and Nama people,” he said.

Omaheke governor Pijoo Nganate said the construction of the memorial museum is a key component in building an inclusive and diverse Namibia.

“The significant and profound contributions made by chief Hosea Kutako should be our guide in crafting the Namibia we all desire,” he said.

Nganate said the site will be used as a platform to educate the younger generation on the work and contributions made by Kutako.

“On behalf of myself and the people of Omaheke, we hereby extend my gracious and sincere gratitude towards the Namibian government for having constructed this momentous heritage site. Please, be rest assured that we will graciously guard, protect and preserve it,” he said.

He said the memorial museum may inspire generations.

The Ovaherero Traditional Authority faction led by chief Hoze Rikuako says he did not attend the unveiling ceremony due to unforeseen circumstances.

“I did not attend as I am out of town,” Rikuako says.