Tribal divisions flare at Vaalgras

TRIBAL division has again reared its head among the Orlam people at Vaalgras ahead of this weekend’s annual commemoration of the Nama genocide of 1904.

A faction led by Daniel Apollus yesterday said they would hold a separate commemorative event because they felt that their ancestor, Jan Apollus, was not getting the recognition he deserved at the annual commemoration. Daniel Apollus said the Jan Apollus Foundation would also be launched at the separate event on Friday. Orlam Chief Joel Stephanus yesterday said he knew about the Apollus faction’s holding of a separate commemoration. ‘I’ve heard about a separate event scheduled for Friday, but to date no official notification has reached the traditional authority,’ said Stephanus. Stephanus could not be drawn into saying what triggered the division, saying he regarded the matter as ‘internal’.Apollus said he would not be attending the official annual commemoration. ‘In my personal capacity I would not attend the annual commemoration, but the onus rests with the other faction members whether they want to attend or not,’ he said. Apollus also accused of Stephanus ‘dictatorship’. He claimed Chief Stephanus recently hand-picked the newly elected traditional leaders.’The Chief had violated the clan’s customary law when he elected traditional councillors on his sole discretion,’ Apollus said.Apollus said a petition containing grievances about the newly elected traditional leaders was sent to the Local Government Minister Jerry Ekandjo at the end of February. ‘To date the minister has failed to respond or to at least acknowledge receipt of the petition letter,’ he said. This weekend’s event by the Vaalgras people, also known as the Herero-speaking Nama, is an annual festival to pay tribute to their fallen heroes and to celebrate their cultural heritage. luqman@namibian.com.na