Dumeni wants Oshakati bomb victims honoured

KLEOPAS Dumeni, a former bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Namibia, has called on the authorities to declare the burial site of the victims of the Oshakati bomb blast on 19 February 1988 a national monument.

Speaking at the 34th commemoration of the tragedly, Dumeni said he wants the victims honoured with a respectable tombstone.

His sentiments were echoed by reverend Aina Sheetheni of the church’s Ongwediva parish.

The Oshakati bomb blast claimed the lives of about 27 innocent civilians, the majority of them teachers and nurses.

Dumeni’s daughter Anna also died in the incident. She was 19 years old at the time.

“Those of us who have relatives buried here should discuss what should be done about the grave, he said at the occasion.

“This is one of the only graves with more than 20 people who died on the same day in Namibia during the struggle. The second one is at Okongo, with 18 people, the third one is at Ondeihaluka, and the fourth one is at Eunda [in the Omusati region], where 18 Plan fighters were killed. Another one is at Outapi,” he said.

Dumeni said if the grave gets a proper tombstone, it could attract tourists, which would not only benefit the victims’ families, but the entire nation.

He said those responsible for the blast are enemies of Namibia.

Media reports at the time suggested that Swapo soldier Leonard Sheehama was responsible for the incident, which killed about 27 people and left 70 others injured.

Sheehama was arrested and charged in connection with the attack on the then Barclays Bank.

After his arrest it was alleged that he was responsible for planting various bombs at Walvis Bay and at the Okambebe Combined School in the Ohangwena region.

A monument was erected in February 2008 at the site of the blast in honour of the victims, but the mass grave at Ongwediva cemetery is dilapidated.

A huge black cross has been erected at the site, with the following words enscribed: Omeehamo guuyuni wongashingeyi kageshi okuyelekwa ne yadhimo ndyoka ta li ka hololwa nurse.

This means: Our present suffering is nothing compared to the glory that will be revealed through us.

In an age of information overload, Sunrise is The Namibian’s morning briefing, delivered at 6h00 from Monday to Friday. It offers a curated rundown of the most important stories from the past 24 hours – occasionally with a light, witty touch. It’s an essential way to stay informed. Subscribe and join our newsletter community.