Zebaldt Ngaruka
GOBABIS – Swanu leader Evalistus Kaaronda has described late former party president Kuzeeko Kangueehi as a man grounded in African socialism, who embodied the spirit of Ubuntu. Kangueehi (81) died last Thursday in Windhoek after a long illness.
Affectionately known as ‘Mitiri Kangueehi’ or simply ‘KK’, he led Swanu from 1984 until 1988.
He at some point faced arrest by the colonial regime due to his stance against apartheid. Since his passing, condolence messages have been pouring in for the leader, who led the party during a difficult period. Kangueehi was a renowned academic.
Paying homage to his forebearer, Kaaronda said Kangueehi was one of the selfless cadres. ‘
He became president of Swanu at the time it was least fashionable to do so.
He remarked that KK was firmly grounded in the African socialist principles of Ubuntu.
Kaaronda added that the deceased was passionate about the economic emancipation of most Namibians.
“He became a target of the apartheid South African regime of occupation when he, as president, refused to join what was then referred to as the government of national unity, which the late Moses Katjiuongua and his breakaway group had joined,” he said.
Kangueehi was among the Swanu leaders specifically assigned to mobilise military support for an armed liberation struggle against the apartheid regime.
“He is indeed a hero and veteran of our liberation struggle,” the unionist-turned-politician said.
The Swanu leader remembers Kangueehi as a man who had the interest of black people at heart.
“He would always say that our communities are ravaged by poverty, landlessness and a government least determined to help them,” Kaaronda recalled. Former Swanu president Usutuaije Maamberua described Kangueehi as a brave and principled man, who stood strong against colonialism.
“He faced many arrests, but never wavered. He always stood up for the freedom of all Namibians,” he said.
Maamberua, who was at the helm of Swanu between 2007 and 2017, said the late KK laid a strong foundation for the party, and housed all citizens in the country’s oldest political party.
“We learnt to stay in line with Swanu laws, as he was principled and taught us not to discriminate,” said the former party president.
Swapo Party parliamentarian Alpheus !Naruseb, who was taught by Kangueehi at the Martin Luther High School in the early 70s, said KK was an exemplary person.
“I, together with others, are what we are today because of Mitiri Kangueehi. Mitiri and other teaching staff saved us, the youngsters of the time, from many challenges of the past, considering the atmosphere of the colonial oppressors during that time,” the parliamentarian remarked.
!Naruseb recalls an incident when an Afrikaner man was bullying them at school, where the late Kangueehi, who was also a boxer, told him that he was not only “intellectually poor, but physically as well”.
“The rest is history. I appreciated his mentoring role together with the other school staff. I was in a leadership position from grade three until I finished school,” he said.
Kangueehi is survived by his wife, eight children, 23 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren.
He will be buried on Sunday at Omongua settlement in the Omaheke region.