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Chief Christian Eerike Zeraeua

Christian Eerike Zeraeua (4 Jan 1934 - †8 Jan 2012) was the direct decedent of the great Chief Christian Wilhelm Zeraeua , who was the leader of the Herero People of Otjimbingwe and Omaruru.

History teaches us that he ( Chief Christian Wilhelm Zeraeua) was the first Omuherero man to be buried in a coffin,which is why the Ovaherero refer to that year as the "Year of the Coffin" ("Ojotjikesa").

Omaruru is the headquarters of the Zeraeua Royal House and his followers who settled here under Chief Wilhelm Zeraeua in 1868 and remained there long after they have settled

The town is home to the grave of Chief Wilhelm Zeraeua and the legendary Manasse Tjiseseta , (a son-in-law of the Senior Zeraeua) whose remains we brought home from South Africa not so long ago.

Life developments

Christian Eerike Zeraeua was the great great grandson of the great Chief Christian Wilhelm Zeraeua; who moved his people from the drought striked otjimbingwe to present day Omaruru.

He was the son of Emilie Veronica Zeraeua and David Johannas Ngujerimo .On the day of his birth the great Omaruru bridge fell apart and that is why he was reffered to as "Hijandopa" and it signified his destiny of becoming the chief of the herero people who fall under The Zeraeua Royal house.

Character

He was a devout Christian and opened everything with a prayer. This was a rather contradictory behaviour for a herero leader as they are the mediums between the forefathers spirits and the people. For that reason he never worshipped the holy fire or believed in spirits as it was against his beliefs.

The End of his Journey

He died a devout christian after a long battle with diabetes four days after his birthday (†08 january 2012).

He will be remebered as the gentle peacemakers who was respected, loved and most importantly inreturn respected everyone he met.

He is survived by his Wife Ms Erika Zaraeua and his children and grand children.

Notable Quotes

"Let me start where I am supposed to start at an occasion such as this, at the beginning." Chief Christian Eerike Zerareua

"Chief had a sought-after sense of humility, a gentleman at all times. Chief was a principled man, a man who believed up to his last days that a man's belief should not be shaken by the day's events, and that instead of compromising one should go to rest.

Chief would treat every person with respect and dignity, especially his subjects.

He would attend the wake of your relative until late hours armed only with his hymnbook, his jacket and his walking stick. He was a unifier, par excellence who believed that all flags were equal and of same importance. He would not stir the porridge unless asked, and then he would only stir it as asked."' Oberst Lieutenant Joshua Razikua Kaumbi

"The passing away of the Late Zeraeua has robbed us of a dedicated traditional leader. He was loved, admired and revered in the community for his leadership and wisdom. He led a large community of the Zeraeua Royal House with love, dedication and determination. For 33 years, the Late Chief Zeraeua championed the maintenance of peace and harmony amongst the members of his community." His Excellency President Hifikepunye Pohamba

Zeraeua Royal House Succession is as follows:

• Wilhelm Zeraua 1867-1876 9 years
• Tjaherani Mbandeuru 1876-1884 8 years
• Manasse Tjiseseta 1884-1898 14 years
• Michael Tjiseseta 1898-1904 6 years
• Daniel Kavezemba Kariko 1915-1919 4 years
• Phillemon Kapia 1925-1931 6 years
• Willem Kapia 1931-1937 6 years
• Justus Kapia 1937-1951 14 years
• Gottlieb Kapia 1953 1979 26 years
• Christian Eerike Zeraua 1979-2012 32 years

Hijandopa means Father of the Bridge