Kuaima Riruako facts for kids
Kuaima Isaac Riruako (born April 24, 1935 – died June 2, 2014) was an important leader in Namibia. He was the paramount chief (a top traditional leader) of the Herero people. He also worked as a politician, representing the National Unity Democratic Organisation (NUDO) in Namibia's Parliament. He was the President of NUDO and even ran for president of Namibia in 2004. In that election, he came in fourth place.
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Life and Early Years
Kuaima Riruako was born on April 24, 1935. This happened in a small place called Otjewe, which is in the Aminuis Constituency. His family was part of the royal lineage of the Tjamuaha-Maharero chiefs. His birth name was Issaskar Kakuremdiro. He later chose the name Kuaima to honor his grandfather.
He went to school at St. Barnabas Primary in Windhoek. Later, in the late 1960s, he studied at the Kwame Nkumah School of Ideology in Accra, Ghana. He also earned a special degree called an Associate BA from New York University. Because he grew up in rural South-West Africa, Riruako knew a lot about local traditions. He understood folklore, history, and family trees very well.
Special Family Stories
According to stories passed down in his family, Riruako had several special insights during his life. People say he predicted the death of Hendrik Verwoerd in 1966. Another story tells how a special insight saved his life. He was left alone on a small, empty island in Zambia called Mombova Island. After 14 days without food or water, the story says he was told to stand up tall. This action made local fishermen notice him, as they wondered where a "second tree" on the island suddenly came from.
Becoming a Leader
After Clemens Kapuuo passed away in 1978, Riruako became the Paramount Chief of the Herero people. He held this important position until he died. As a leader of the Okahandja Herero, Riruako worked hard to get payments from the Government of Germany. This was for the terrible events of the Herero massacre that happened between 1904 and 1907. He wanted this compensation, similar to how Jewish people received payments for the Holocaust. Germany did not agree to pay money, but Riruako did get a formal apology from the German government.
Political Career in Namibia
Riruako was a member of the Constitutional Council from 1986 to 1987. He was first chosen to be part of the National Assembly of Namibia in 1994. He was a candidate for the Democratic Turnhalle Alliance (DTA) at that time.
In September 2003, his party, NUDO, left the DTA. Riruako said the DTA was not working enough for the Herero people's interests. He became the President of NUDO as an independent party on September 18, 2003. He also left the National Assembly that same month.
Later, he was elected again as a NUDO candidate in the November 2004 parliamentary election. He served a second time in the National Assembly starting on March 20, 2005. In October 2009, NUDO again chose Riruako to be their candidate for the 2009 presidential election.
Later Life and Passing
In November 2008, a sad event happened when Riruako's home in Aminuis burned down. Two of his grandchildren died in the fire. An older woman was saved by people in the community. Riruako was not at home when the fire happened. After this incident, the community decided to help their Chief by giving him money and other donations.
After spending more than a month in the ICU (Intensive Care Unit) due to high blood pressure, Kuaima Riruako passed away on June 2, 2014. He died in Windhoek.
