Main content

Namibia: The price of genocide

In talks being watched by former colonies all over the world, Germany and Namibia are seeking ways to heal the wounds of colonialism. Can they reach a deal Namibians will accept?

More than a century after its brutal colonisation of Namibia, including what it now accepts was the genocide of the Herero and Nama peoples, Germany is negotiating with the country鈥檚 government to heal the wounds of the past. The eventual deal may set a precedent for what other nations expect from former colonisers. But how do you make up for the destruction of entire societies? Germany has agreed to apologise - but Namibia also wants some form of material compensation. What should that be, and who should benefit? Namibians are now divided about how the talks are being conducted - and some in the country鈥檚 German-speaking minority, descendants of the original colonists, question the very idea of compensation. Tim Whewell travels to Namibia to ask how far full reconciliation - with Germany, and within the country - is possible.

Producer and presenter: Tim Whewell
Editor: Bridget Harney

(Image: Laidlaw Peringanda at the Swakopmund Genocide Memorial. Credit: Tim Whewell/大象传媒)

Available now

27 minutes

Last on

Thu 1 Apr 2021 19:06GMT

Broadcasts

  • Thu 1 Apr 2021 01:32GMT
  • Thu 1 Apr 2021 08:06GMT
  • Thu 1 Apr 2021 12:32GMT
  • Thu 1 Apr 2021 19:06GMT

Download this programme

Subscribe to this programme or download individual episodes