UCCSA backs Nama/ Herero genocide victims
Church rejects German govt negotiations that exclude other victims of genocide Applauds peaceful transition of power in Malawi, Zambia Condemns global injustices on distribution, commercialisation, and inaccessibility of Covid- 19 vaccines.
The United Congregational Church of Southern Africa ( UCCSA) has broken its silence on a number of issues including insurrection, atrocities, historical injustices of the Nama people, OvaHerero and OvaMbanderu genocide in Namibia, and those in the Diaspora.
So far, two different Batswana groups who are the descendants of the OvaHerero, OvaMbanderu, and Nama, who survived the genocide and found refuge in Botswana more than a century ago from present- day Namibia, have petitioned the Federal Republic of Germany calling them to stop downplaying, as well as the non- recognition of their existence in Botswana. They demand that a fresh negotiation which includes an apology and proper compensation be entered into.
The UCCSA secretariat which leads the church in five countries in Southern Africa, but has sister churches around the entire region, this week issued a hard- hitting statement co- signed by the UCCSA president, Reverend Sikhalo Cele, and General Secretary, Reverend Kudzani Ndebele on behalf of the Executive Committee following a resolution adopted at its two- day meeting held on 21 to 23rd September 2021.
The church noted with concern the issues of injustices both in the Church and society.
It is also concerned by the slow pace of resolving historical social injustices in the region. These include due recognition of the Khoi and San in Southern
Africa, gross human rights violations and ongoing genocide in Mozambique, Gukurahundi atrocities in Zimbabwe; unresolved Apartheid crimes against humanity in South Africa, the Nama, Herero, and Mbanderu genocide in Namibia, and those in the Diaspora.
“In the light of political engagements between the Namibian and German governments, the Church rejects any process that excludes the victims of genocide”.
It further states that as a Church of justice, “we must introspect and move away from theorising the issue of justice because it demands decisive action, solidarity, and restitution to those who are excluded in the internal processes and are thus, continually disadvantaged”.
On matters governing the election, the church states that the executive Committee meeting celebrates the positive development within the region. “These include the peaceful transitions of power in Malawi and Zambia”. The Executive Committee also notes the significant role played by the SADC, especially in eSwatini and in Mozambique in fighting the insurrection in the Cabo Delgado province.
“As a region, we look forward to the upcoming local government elections in South Africa on 1st November 2021, and we pray for tolerance and peace. May God’s reign of peace be established in the world”.
The UCCSA says many among the church have succumbed to the Covid- 19 pandemic, and many are battling its effects. “Similarly, the spirituality, stewardship responsibilities, and governance processes in the church are suffering because of the disempowering effects of the pandemic which led to many meetings of the church being put in abeyance.
“In this context of a global Covid- 19 pandemic – the Lord is still speaking. Let us as the UCCSA membership and all in our mission organs follow His direction. The world has much to learn from the church in this hour, as was the case when it adopted such ministries and professions like nursing in the early church, also during a time of pandemic”.
The meeting noted with concern the sporadic unrests in the SADC region. These include public unrest in eSwatini for democratic change, recent unrests in Mozambique, including an armed insurgency, and the acts of public violence and destruction in South Africa in July this year.
The church laments the “injustices around the distribution, commercialisation and the inaccessibility of Covid- 19 vaccines”. Bound by its theological nature and value of justice, the Church condemns these “inhumane and profit- driven tendencies” around the availability of vaccines, which are a means to a healthy life.
The unavailability of vaccines to poorer nations further exacerbates the global economic inequality between industrialised economies and emerging markets.
The church also announced that it has nothing against the COVID- 19 vaccine, therefore congregants are encouraged to take COVID vaccines as and when opportunities open.