Patropas Henguva, who worked for the Namibia Press Agency (Nampa) as Omaheke regional bureau chief for 13 years, died on Sunday at the age of 47, family member Iileni Henguva confirmed.
Henguva served as Omaheke bureau chief from 2000 to 2013.
“So very sad to hear that. Patro was more than just a colleague. He was the very embodiment of that Nampa spirit of selfless and total dedication to duty. As is the case with most of us, he had his flaws and personal demons.
“But at his very best, he was a magnificent reporter who could immerse himself fully in his work, and submit a story that only he would have been able to get,” said Nampa managing editor Jata Kazondu.
He said the news agency is deeply saddened by Henguva’s passing, and that they will continue to honour his memory and the wonderful deeds he performed for the organisation, particularly while serving as the Omaheke bureau chief.
Nampa editor Maggy Thomas described the late Henguva as a humble person with a kind heart, and one of the most hardworking persons she knew.
“He called me ‘my daughter’, and I called him daddy. He named one of his daughters after me. She was born while we were on a work mission to Omimbondevitano, Epukiro. We celebrated the birth of my mbushe together throughout the journey back to Epako,” she said.
“He was dearly loved by old people and the young. He was a loyal friend. Patropas was a seasoned journalist, a journalist of excellence. He represented Nampa well in the Omaheke region, telling the Namibian story,” she noted.
“They say friends are the family we choose. Being chosen was the greatest moment of my life, and when the news of Patropas’ passing reached me, it was one of the worst moments of my life. “Rest softly my brother. Hamba Kahle daddy,” she added.
Namibian Broadcasting Corporation (NBC) chief reporter Jefta Tjihumino described Henguva’s death as painful, and said him and Henguva had been through thick and thin together while trying to make the best out of life.
“It is so painful to hear the death of my beloved uncle, whom I used to refer to as Madiba, a name he was given by his script writer tutor Peter Philander, likening his voice to that of Nelson Mandela,” he said.
“We have been together at the Damelin Management School, pursuing a journalism course together, and he was a former fellow member of the Church of Africa youth choir with a celestial, self-taught stylish outstanding bass,” continued Tjihumino.
“We rubbed shoulders in almost all spheres of life, both in private and in the public space. A peaceful and calm gentleman. Some part of our history can’t be shared in public for now. Anyway, go well my omo. Tsamaya sentle malome,” he added.
Former Nampa Omaheke bureau chief Charles Tjatindi said Henguva was known as a great journalist, who had a passion for community journalism.
“Often coming off as controversial to those who found themselves at the mercy of the tip of his pen, he overall had a calm demeanour in the execution of his duties,” he observed.
“As a regional reporter for Nampa in the Omaheke region – a post I inherited in later years – Henguva kept the flame of that news agency burning by remaining relevant and never missing a story. It is a sad day indeed for journalism to lose a man of Henguva’s character; calm, informed, and a people’s person.
“Go well brother, we will continue lighting the flame in your honour,” he added.