by Rodney Cloete
As we look back on the atrocities of the past, we are reminded of the importance of acknowledging and confronting the horrific events that shaped our our world.
Among such atrocities stands the Shark Island concentration camp which was part of a brutal campaign of genocide carried out against the Ovaherero and Nama peoples by German colonisers.
The Shark Island concentration camp was the site of unspeakable horrors. It was there that the Ovaherero and Nama peoples were subjected to medical experimentation, forced labour, and torture. The death toll of the genocide is estimated to be 80,000 Ovaherero and 10,000 Nama peoples, with many more subjected to similar, unspeakable horrors.
Despite the scale of the atrocities, it took the rest of the world a long time to acknowledge and memorialise what is now known as the first genocide of the twentieth century, the Herero-Nama Genocide.
Today, there are several genocide memorials in Namibia, including at Shark Island. The memorials serve as powerful reminders of atrocities committed and the many lives lost, as well as being calls-to-action to prevent such atrocities from happening again.
Some argue that genocide memorials keep open the wounds of the past and, therefore, prevent healing. However, it is important to remember that acknowledging and confronting the past is a necessary step towards reconciliation and, ultimately, justice. By recognising that atrocities were committed, we can work towards repairing the harm done and ensuring that they are never repeated.
In addition, genocide memorials play important roles in educating future generations about the horrors of the past. By learning about such atrocities, we can develop a greater understanding of the dangers of colonialism, discrimination, and racism. Knowledge of this nature can, indeed, help us work towards a more equitable and just future.
It is also important to mention that the legacy of Shark Island is not limited to Namibia. The legacies of colonialism, genocide, and racism had, and continue to have, profound effects in many parts of the world. For this reason, it is critical that we continue to memorialise colonial atrocities and work towards preventing their recurrence.
In conclusion, Shark Island (and other genocide memorials) serves as a powerful reminder of atrocities committed in the past. Genocide memorials play crucial roles in acknowledging and confronting history, in educating future generations, and in preventing atrocities from happening again.
As we continue to work towards a more equitable and just world, it is important we never forget lessons learned from the past, and, simultaneously, that we honour the lives lost and memory of those who had suffered and died.
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This article was written by Rodney Cloete, a resident of |ae||gams (Windhoek). The accompanying photo was obtained from Facebook. To contribute to the Nossob Xoa Xrup community blog, contact us at nossobgroep@gmail.com.
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