The Nama Genocide and Its Lingering Legacy in Namibia

The early 20th century witnessed the first mass extermination of the modern era, a horrific event that remains largely ignored. One of the most catastrophic atrocities occurred in what is now Namibia, yet the global community rarely acknowledges it. On the 2nd of October 1904, this mass killing began under the direction of General Lothar von Trotha, as German colonial forces unleashed unfathomable cruelty on the native population.

The Herero and Nama, two of Namibia’s principal ethnic groups, revolted against German colonial rule after years of exploitation and mistreatment. In retaliation, the colonial regime aimed to obliterate their resistance. General von Trotha issued an extermination decree, condemning not just the men, but women and children as well. Thousands were forced into the relentless Kalahari Desert, where they perished from hunger and dehydration. Those who survived were captured and confined to concentration camps, where malnutrition, fatigue, and disease took the lives of many more.

This was no battle. It was a massacre. Approximately 65,000 Herero—roughly 80% of their population—were exterminated. The Nama lost around 10,000 individuals, which was nearly 50% of their people. The repercussions of this slaughter are still evident today, contributing to Namibia’s relatively small population.

Despite the scale of this disaster, the Herero and Nama massacre is often omitted from international conversations on historical atrocities. It serves as a sobering reminder of the horrors of colonialism and the lasting wounds inflicted on the African continent.