The wounds of Namibia’s struggle for independence were reopened on 9 November 2005 when a mass grave containing human remains and ammunition was uncovered 400 metres from the former South African military base at Eenhana. The discovery was made while contractors were busy with excavations for the town’s oxidation ponds. Four other graves with human remains and exploded ammunition were subsequently uncovered in the vicinity of the former military base.
The discoveries immediately sparked fierce debate about the origin of the graves. Claims and counterclaims were made and, in some cases, denial of any knowledge of the existence of the mass graves. Inhabitants from Eenhana testified during a technical study to determine the origin of the graves that some suspected SWAPO sympathisers had been taken from their homes to the base and were never seen again. Another account has it that the bodies of PLAN soldiers killed in combat were brought into the base where they were interred in mass graves.
Some sources, however, claimed that at least some of the remains were those of PLAN soldiers who were killed during the infamous Nine Days of War following the implementation of Resolution 435. In one of those clashes 12 PLAN soldiers were killed in a battle south of Eenhana on 4 April 1989, while another PLAN soldier died the following day.
The site where mass graves were uncovered was unsuitable for a memorial because of its proximity to the sewerage works and the town council donated four hectares of land for a memorial, about two kilometres east of the town. Namibia’s second president, Hifikepunye Pohamba, unveiled the memorial on 27 August 2007 and the Eenhana Shrine was declared a national heritage place on 1 September 2011.
Two six-metre-high steel and concrete structures resembling mopane leaves form a backdrop to the memorial. The three soldiers carrying weapons and ready for combat on the right-hand mural symbolise the heroism and patriotism of the men and women who took up arms to liberate Namibia.
The 1.8-metre-high mural on the left depicts two women and a man taking food and ammunition to PLAN combatants. It represents the bravery and provision of essential services by men and women during the liberation struggle.
A two-metre-high bronze statue of a female PLAN soldier holding aloft the Namibian flag symbolises victory. The statue also pays tribute to the contribution of SWAPO’s female soldiers to the liberation struggle, their courage and determination. The 550-kilogram statue is mounted on a 1.3-metre-high granite pedestal with the inscription: “This shrine bears the remains of some of the many freedom fighters who sacrificed their lives during the struggle for freedom and Independence of Namibia and shall be the resting place of present and future heroes and heroines”.
In front of the backdrop of mopane leaves there are three large tombs with black granite slabs. The remains uncovered from the mass graves at Eenhana in November 2005 were laid to rest in the centre grave. The Eenhana Shrine was declared a national heritage place in 2011 and is also a state cemetery where those accorded the status of veterans of the liberation struggle are buried.
The wounds of Namibia’s struggle for independence were reopened on 9 November 2005 when a mass grave containing human remains and ammunition was uncovered 400 metres from the former South African military base at Eenhana. The discovery was made while contractors were busy with excavations for the town’s oxidation ponds. Four other graves with human remains and exploded ammunition were subsequently uncovered in the vicinity of the former military base.
The discoveries immediately sparked fierce debate about the origin of the graves. Claims and counterclaims were made and, in some cases, denial of any knowledge of the existence of the mass graves. Inhabitants from Eenhana testified during a technical study to determine the origin of the graves that some suspected SWAPO sympathisers had been taken from their homes to the base and were never seen again. Another account has it that the bodies of PLAN soldiers killed in combat were brought into the base where they were interred in mass graves.
Some sources, however, claimed that at least some of the remains were those of PLAN soldiers who were killed during the infamous Nine Days of War following the implementation of Resolution 435. In one of those clashes 12 PLAN soldiers were killed in a battle south of Eenhana on 4 April 1989, while another PLAN soldier died the following day.
The site where mass graves were uncovered was unsuitable for a memorial because of its proximity to the sewerage works and the town council donated four hectares of land for a memorial, about two kilometres east of the town. Namibia’s second president, Hifikepunye Pohamba, unveiled the memorial on 27 August 2007 and the Eenhana Shrine was declared a national heritage place on 1 September 2011.
A two-metre-high bronze statue of a female PLAN soldier holding aloft the Namibian flag symbolises victory. The statue also pays tribute to the contribution of SWAPO’s female soldiers to the liberation struggle, their courage and determination. The 550-kilogram statue is mounted on a 1.3-metre-high granite pedestal with the inscription: “This shrine bears the remains of some of the many freedom fighters who sacrificed their lives during the struggle for freedom and Independence of Namibia and shall be the resting place of present and future heroes and heroines”.
In front of the backdrop of mopane leaves there are three large tombs with black granite slabs. The remains uncovered from the mass graves at Eenhana in November 2005 were laid to rest in the centre grave. The Eenhana Shrine was declared a national heritage place in 2011 and is also a state cemetery where those accorded the status of veterans of the liberation struggle are buried.