Prime minister Elijah Ngurare has called for the preservation of genocide sites across Namibia, describing them as sacred national sanctuaries.
He said this at the Ozombuzovindimba cultural heritage site at Otjinene in the Omaheke region on Genocide Remembrance Day on Thursday.
Ngurare said such sites must remain protected to ensure the painful history of Namibia’s people is never forgotten.
Addressing descendants of the 1904 to 1908 genocide victims, he cautioned against attempts to dilute or distort the country’s history through “slick public relations”.
“Do not allow the genocide of your ancestors to be trivialised, and do not allow historical memory to fade into indifference.
“A nation that forgets its foundations weakens its capacity to navigate the future,” he said.
The prime minister said remembering the genocide should continue strengthening Namibia’s collective commitment to human dignity, justice and economic equity for all communities.
He said the legacy of the atrocities must inspire continued efforts towards inclusive development, particularly for communities in the Otjinene constituency that continue to face socio-economic challenges.
