Leaders of Hereroland

The Herero people of Namibia are ruled by traditional leaders, the highest office is that of the Paramount Chief. During part of the South African Apartheid administration in South West Africa, when Hereroland was a bantustan (designated area for Herero settlement), they additionally had a political representative to the South African Administration, which was decoupled from chieftaincy in 1980. The current Paramount Chief of the Herero is Vekuii Rukoro,^[1] the position of the representative of Hereroland was abolished in May 1989 as part of the transition to Namibian independence which was declared in March 1990.^[2]

Paramount Chiefs of the Herero

The genealogy of the Paramount Chiefs of the Herero is:^[1]

• Vekuii Rukoro (since 2014)
• Kuaima Riruako (1978–2014)
• Clemens Kapuuo (1970–1978)
• Hosea Kutako (1917–1970)
• Samuel Maharero (1890–1917)
• Maharero ka Tjamuaha (1861–1890)
• Tjamuaha (1842–1861)
• Tjirwe (before 1842)

Political chief representatives of Hereroland

Hereroland was declared in 1968, along with other bantustans in South West Africa. Self–governance of Hereroland was granted on 26 Jul 1970, which lasted until May 1989. The Chair of the Executive Committee of Hereroland was occupied by:^[2]

• Hosea Kutako (2 October 1968 to July 1970)
• Clemens Kapuuo (July 1970 to 27 March 1978)
• Kuaima Riruako (7 June 1978 to 5 December 1980)
• Thimoteus Tjamuaha (5 December 1980 to September 1984)
• Erastus Tjejamba (August 1987 to October 1987 and October 1987 to February 1988)
• Gottlob Mbaukua (September 1984 to August 1987 and February 1988 to May 1989)

See also

• Bantustans in South West Africa

References