With calls for colonial reparations being made in the run up to the racism conference in Durban, Martin Plaut looks at the German colonisation of South West Africa - modern-day Namibia...On 2 October 1904 the German commander, General von Trotha issued the following proclamation: "I, the great general of the German troops, send this letter to the Herero people... All Hereros must leave this land... Any Herero found within the German borders with or without a gun, with or without cattle, will be shot. I shall no longer receive any women or children; I will drive them back to their people. I will shoot them. This is my decision for the Herero people."