The remains of Michael Tjiseseta, son of Manasse and Albertina Tjiseseta, King of the Herero in Omaruru from the passing of his father until his own passing in exile in Krugersdorp in 1924, will be returned to Omaruru after being interred for eighty years in South Africa in time for the next White Flag Day scheduled for the 1st, 2nd and 3rd of October, 2004, in Omaruru.

The occasion will be called "The Day of the Hero of the Cause" and will be attended by as many Herero as possible, dignitaries from Namibia, members of the government of Namibia, and others who wish to witness this historic event and show respect to this leader.

Michael Tjiseseta was the King of the Herero in Omaruru during the war with the Germans early in the 20th century. In 1905 he decided to leave Tsau, a few kilometers south of Otjiwarongo to go to Botswana with his followers to escape the Germans who were executing all captured Herero, but his advisers told him if he did they were not able to carry enough water and many of his followers would die from these conditions. He finally decided to make the journey traversing German South West Africa from east to west a distance of nearly 400 km, to seek safety in British territory in Walvis Bay. They were able to pick up stragglers as they journeyed.

Even though closely pursued by the Germans, he was successful in this endeavor, but he and his followers were disarmed and interned in Walvis Bay. On 29 January, 1906, Michael, accom-panied by 198 Herero and 85 others left Walvis Bay, were shipped to Cape Town and the mines of the Witwaters-rand. In return for the supply of mine laborers from amongst his followers Michael was permitted to live on a farm near Johannesburg. Michael was never able to return to Omaruru, but died in exile in Krugersdorp in 1924.

The remains will be disinterred early on the morning of 29 September in Krugersdorp, South Africa, in the presence of at least three members of the Herero Traditional Council, who

will return that day by plane accom-panied by a South African escort to Windhoek with the remains. They will overnight in Windhoek and on Friday the First of October, the remains and

their South African escort will proceed through Okahandja on to Omaruru.

The event will be observed in the following manner. On the 1st of October about 17h00 the remains will be turned over to the Royal House of Zeraua in Ozondje, Omaruru, where a full formal Herero funeral will begin. The members of the family and well

wishers and other mourners will come all night to either sit around the fire commemorating the Hero of the Cause,

or be inside the house with the women mourning his passing. Early in the morning on the 2nd of October, the remains will be transported to the Herero Commando in Ozondje, where Herero and guests will gather during the entire day, with their cavalry attachment, to pay honor to the Hero of the Cause. Early on the morning of the 3rd of October the remains will be transported from Ozondje downtown to the Herero Cemetery, accompanied by the customary White Flag Day procession of hundreds of men in uniform and women in their traditional

White, Red and Green gowns to the place of final interment at the historic Herero Cemetery. Following the interment ceremony there will be speeches at the grave side, and the entire entourage will retire back to the Herero Commando in Ozondje to continue with all of the traditional White Flag Day speeches and gathering.

King Christaan Zeraua has stated that all persons who wish to pay respect to his remains are welcome to come and observe these proceedings. Photographs are allowed.