Jopohambo Ndjarakana ‘ s face lights up everytime he talks about the fondness he grew up with of Namibia and how he has been longing to return to the country of his ancestors . For him and many others , Namibia remained the land of milk and honey – akin to the biblical Canaan . He is among a group of Ovaherero and Ovambanderu who returned to Namibia last week after having lived in Botswana . They are descendants of Namibians who fled into Botswana at the height of the 1904 – 1908 Ovaherero Genocide . The 84 – year – old sits comfortably on his folding camping chair during the interview , occasionally nodding in agreement to the questions being posed , but remained pensive for most of the time . The sacrifice he made to return to Namibia has been immense ; he left his entire family behind . None of his two wives or 13 children in Botswana opted to come to Namibia . They turned the voluntary repatriation exercise down . ‘ They did not want to come with me . They said they will remain behind in Botswana . I was
disappointed but decided to still go ahead and be part of the repatriation exercise ,’ he said . Ndjarakana ‘ s father crossed into Botswana as a 12 – year – old boy . They were part of a retreating regiment of Ovaherero fighters and civilians who were fleeing the range of the more superior German forces . As a boy , Ndjarakana ‘ s father and another boy were tasked with leading an elderly blind man across the vast Omaheke sand plains into Botswana , eventually settling in Ngamiland , North – west Botswana . He lived and eventually died in Botswana . ‘ My father spoke fondly of how he as a boy had to take on a task of leading an elderly man through the desert and into Botswana . He eventually settled in Botswana and was a good father to us ,’ Ndjarakana said . The group were welcomed in style by relatives , government leaders and other Namibians – including riveting cultural performances . The titillating voices of a San cultural group tears through the crowd as the group delivers what it is known for best .
The group consists of San girls from areas around Tsumkwe in northern Namibia . Their performance , although brief , had the crowd on its feet and thumping to the vibrations that filled the air . A few moments earlier , another cultural group from neighbouring Botswana also had the crown begging for more as it delivered a rejuvenating performance . Here , even dignitaries gathered got lost and got footloose . It was a special sight . Clad in plain white – t – shirts designed specially for the day , the group sat close to each other during the ceremony . There is a neat row of chairs that has been reserved for them . From there , they observe speeches and performances welcoming them . With occasional whispers in their adopted setswana language – which all are fluent in – the group patiently sat through the official ceremony and watched activities unfold in great anticipation . It ‘ s been a long journey to this day for the returnees . Seated close by were Gam and Eiseb residents – who themselves also returned
to Namibia from Botswana in the same fashion more than 20 years ago . They exchanged occasional glances , smiles and nods . Happy nods . In the silence , unspoken words expressing appreciation from both sides could be heard . Many are relatives , while some are even siblings of those who had been in Namibia . The uncertainty of the life that awaits them in Namibia can somehow be read on their faces , but the excitement of the prospects that lie in waiting seem to wipe away any doubts . They are elated to be at Dobe Border post on this day ; they have waited long for it . The story about a neighbouring country called Namibia – from which their ancestors came from – has been told and retold in Botswana to these descendants . It has been a favourite campfire story for years and the narration spoke of a land that held great prospects and promise for them . They all wanted to see this land . ‘ We are happy to be home . This has always been our home ; the home that we were told about by our parents but never got to
see until now ,’ said 35 – year – old Tjetjoo Rijeterera . ‘ For once , we will cease being Batswana and finally get to be called Namibians . It ‘ s been good living in Botswana , but the longing for the land of our ancestors has been strong ,’ she said . She hopes that the youth returning to Namibia will be given ample opportunity for advancement , so as to eventually contribute to the economic advancement of their parents . The occasion brought together different chiefs and other traditional leaders together – some of whom rarely converge together in similar settings . The omen was a good one , as one of them exclaimed . For once , differences brought them together as opposed to dividing them . As the ceremony winds up , the group of returnees rise and stand by for the singing of the national anthems . Their faces lighten up as they wait for the singing of the Botswana national anthem ‘ Lefatshe leno la rona ‘. Without waiting for the recorded anthem , the group started singing . Note for note they went thr
ough the anthem , with their voices drumming though the tent in which they are seated . Emotions were clearly written on their faces as they sang an anthem they have been singing for years , but one that they might not get to sing again for a long time – or perhaps never . As the sun set on Gam , the returnees were in their new home – a reserved area located some 2km outside the settlement . This will be used as a reception centre for them and many others to come . For many , this will be home for a long time . The area has the basics ; a borehole , large water storage tanks and is fenced off for protection and to keep animals out . For now , the returnees are housed in tents but they are permitted to build their own structures if they so wish . ‘ I am really happy to be back home . We heard of Namibia for a long time and being here is what we always wanted ,’ said Naomi Tjingaveta . Soon , the area – yet to be officially named – descends into darkness with a few solar powered lights providing the only light
on site . The returnees retire to bed . It ‘ s been a long journey ; a long walk to the country of their ancestors .
Source: The Namibia News Agency