A hundred years ago, three quarters of the Herero people of the German colony of Namibia were killed, many in concentration camps.
Today, the descendants of the survivors are seeking reparations from the German government. This film tells for the first time this forgotten story and its links to German racial theories.
Described by the BBC as the story of Germany’s forgotten genocide. This powerful documentary by David Adetayo Olusoga took a sensitive and uncompromising look at the tragic circumstances leading to the massacre of three quarters of the Namibia population in German concentration camps built in Africa.
The programme included graphic reconstructions and did not shirk from showing disturbing scenes which revealed the savagery of european colonial ideology put into practise.
The documentary also showed the 2004 footage of Germany’s ambassador to Namibia expressing regret for their killing of thousands of Namibia’s Hereros during the colonial era. Unsurprisingly, the Germans refused to agree to the justifiable calls for reparations.
The programme also explored the current call for land reforms where most of Namibia’s commercial land is still owned by european farmers who make up 6 percent of the country’s population of 1.8 million.
Throughout it included interviews and powerful testimony from African survivors, descendants and reparation movement representatives thus making this a compelling programme which both educated the audience whilst treating the sensitive subject matter with the respect it deserved.
January 26, 2011 at 10:32 am | Patrick
Awesome Doc well made.
February 5, 2011 at 4:59 am | Brian
I just wanted you to know that stupid Domino’s add was taunting me and I had to buy a pizza
March 19, 2011 at 4:30 pm | billieheart
It is so unbelievable how cruel the Gernans have been and continue to be. Their day will come because you do not do this kind of thing and get away with it – it is the natural law of order. We do not control it however is controlled by the energies we live in. Watch out your cruel people. It is just around the corner.
April 24, 2011 at 12:42 am | Jean
Numerous peoples have committed slaughters of those they saw as enemies.
You seem to have a pre-existing issue with Germans. Kindly deal with it.
April 24, 2011 at 12:42 am | Jean
Numerous peoples have committed slaughters of those they saw as enemies.
You seem to have a pre-existing issue with Germans. Kindly deal with it.
May 9, 2011 at 12:40 am | Anonymous
Not necessarily… it could be that @billieheart belongs to one of the groups of people tortured and killed by Germans.
It is also entirely possible that you, @Jean, are part German and not happy with that characterization.
May 29, 2011 at 2:00 am | P.Goff
“Kindly deal with it.”
Staggering arrogance and pomposity.
May 29, 2011 at 2:00 am | P.Goff
“Kindly deal with it.”
Staggering arrogance and pomposity.
May 29, 2011 at 2:00 am | P.Goff
“Kindly deal with it.”
Staggering arrogance and pomposity.
November 5, 2011 at 10:30 pm | Ross Payant
I’m not a German but I can say that people who generalize like you are exactly the kind of people who sent the Jews, Poles, Gays, Roma etc to the ovens.
April 29, 2011 at 11:52 pm | Backlinks
Good Video, depressing but good.
May 29, 2011 at 1:59 am | Guest
Warning – Backlinks is a known spammer who is inserting links to a fraudulent website.
May 29, 2011 at 1:59 am | Guest
Warning – Backlinks is a known spammer who is inserting links to a fraudulent website.
May 29, 2011 at 1:59 am | Guest
Warning – Backlinks is a known spammer who is inserting links to a fraudulent website.
April 29, 2011 at 11:52 pm | Backlinks
Good Video, depressing but good.
April 29, 2011 at 11:52 pm | Backlinks
Good Video, depressing but good.
May 26, 2011 at 9:15 pm | UK guest
Hi I’m German, I live for 7 years now in the UK. I would never dare to speak of any nation in a such generalising way (or characterize it); That frame of mind is known all too well and leads to that kind of hatred. Maybe it has something to to with the fact, what the BBC NOT airs, as for example about the boer war or the clearances …(just to pick two) Its easy to dis “the Germans”, but it is also “so unbelievable” how old fashioned perspectives still being carried on and whats still being blanked. “Sometimes ignorance is …” - just that.
May 29, 2011 at 1:28 am | Jaric
Comiting Holocaus once have been monstrous enought, comiting it twice… Wel I’m starting to belive that something is seriously wrong with german people, and no I have no grudge against Germans I just find your actions deeply disturbing.
June 12, 2011 at 12:04 am | None
1. National and Racial supremacy thinking was a child of the 19th and early 20th century which every nation had. A thing noone today is able to understand unless u actually bother to read and research about it.
2. If u say something is “seriously wrong with german ppl” some things about brits:
- conquering other Nations killing thousands in “glorious battles” like the Zulu, the Sudanese, the Afghans, the Pakistani/Hindus, or the Chinese …. i doubt thats any better and does not give those folks reason to ask the UK for reparations
- Also the UK too has a nice history of concentration camps in the Boer Wars
- The Dutch have a nice disturbing history of colonial cruelty in the Kongo murdering and cutting off peoples arms
August 16, 2011 at 11:59 pm | BartHoogeboom
The cruelty in the Congo came from the Belgium people not the Dutch
July 27, 2011 at 12:56 pm | COJONES224
ITS INN THE HISTORY AND REALITY OF THIS TIME THEY DID IT BEFORE THERE FORE THEY MUST ATONE WHY THE JEWS ARE NOT HELPPING THEM I WONDER WHY THE U.S IS NOT I WONDER EVEN MORE WHY WE DONT SEE THIS ON THE NEWS I DONT WONDER ABOUT THAY ONE IKOW BECAUSE THEY RE AFRIKANS AND BLACKS.
July 27, 2011 at 12:56 pm | COJONES224
ITS INN THE HISTORY AND REALITY OF THIS TIME THEY DID IT BEFORE THERE FORE THEY MUST ATONE WHY THE JEWS ARE NOT HELPPING THEM I WONDER WHY THE U.S IS NOT I WONDER EVEN MORE WHY WE DONT SEE THIS ON THE NEWS I DONT WONDER ABOUT THAY ONE IKOW BECAUSE THEY RE AFRIKANS AND BLACKS.
November 24, 2011 at 12:56 pm | Nilsmicael
What’s wrong with the german people? Inbreed?