Oshana, Nov 29 (V7N) - A Namibian politician who shares a name with Nazi dictator Adolf Hitler has recently drawn international attention after removing “Hitler” from his official name. Adolf Hitler Uunona, a councilor in northern Namibia’s Oshana region, secured his fifth consecutive victory in the Omupundja Constituency but has now formally changed his name to Adolf Uunona to avoid associations with the infamous German leader.

According to a report by The Telegraph, the 57-year-old politician confirmed his name change in an interview with The Namibian newspaper. Uunona said he has long been uncomfortable with the name and clarified that he has no connection to Adolf Hitler or his legacy. He added that many people continued to call him “Adolf Hitler,” even though he never identified with that historical figure.

Uunona explained that his father gave him the name without understanding its historical context. As a child, he assumed the name was normal, only later realizing its global notoriety. After a previous election victory in 2020, he told reporters that his father likely had no knowledge of Adolf Hitler’s actions or ideology.

Despite his controversial name, local voters have shown no objection. Uunona remains a popular figure due to his close engagement with the community, and his long tenure as councilor reflects continued public support.

German names remain common in Namibia, a legacy of the country’s colonial history. Namibia was known as German South West Africa after becoming a German colony in 1884. In 2021, Germany formally acknowledged committing genocide in the region during the early 20th century, when colonial forces killed more than 10,000 people from the Herero and Nama communities following uprisings over land seizures and livestock loss. Survivors were forced into the desert or held in concentration camps under brutal conditions.

German rule ended after World War I, and Namibia later fell under South African control. Following a prolonged 25-year conflict known as the Bush War, the country gained independence in 1990.

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