The Hereros are German subjects no longer. They have killed, stolen, cut off the ears and other parts of the body of wounded soldiers, and now are too cowardly to want to fight any longer. I announce to the people that whoever hands me one of the chiefs shall receive 1,000 marks, and 5,000 marks for Samuel Maharero. The Herero nation must now leave the country. If it refuses, I shall compel it to do so with the ‘Groot Rohr’ (cannon). Any Herero found inside the German frontier, with or without a gun or cattle, will be executed. I shall spare neither women nor children. I shall give the order to drive them away and fire on them. Such are my words to the Herero people.” The great General of the mighty German Kaiser.” - Trotha
Above is an English translation of the German General Lothar von Trotha’s infamous October 1904 order calling for the extermination of the Ovaherero people in Namibia. Over 70% of the Ovaherero perished as a result, as well as over 50% of the Nama and Damara as the mass slaughter was extended to their communities. Many of the survivors found refuge in Botswana.
