Kaviveterue Virere
Namibia is grieving the loss of Isaiah Zemburukee Kavendjii, a well-known individual whose life was deeply linked to community development, political leadership, and student activism.
Kavendjii, a marked figure in student activism pre- and post-independence, politics and community development, died yesterday. He was 53.
A fellow activist and contemporary, Swanu lawmaker and leader, Evalistus Kaaronda, recalled Kavendjii as “a student leader and a Swapo youth activist,” whose political activities spread throughout what is now Erongo region.
Kavendjii, Kaaronda recalled, rose to become one of the most well-known leaders of our time, moving from branch leadership to regional and national leadership of Namibia National Students Organisation (Nanso).
When the Nanso of yesteryear sneezed, Namibia, or then South West Africa, caught the flu.
Prior to finishing his education at Walvis Bay, Kavendjii was an activist during his time at Kolin Foundation Secondary School in Arandis. He also held the position of Managing Director for the Ounona Empowerment Group, Nanso’s business division, at that time.
His influence extended far beyond national borders. He held the position of Secretary-General of the Southern African Students Union (SASU), before stepping aside to dedicate himself fully to managing Nanso’s investment portfolio. As Kaaronda noted, Kavendjii and colleagues such as Phanuel Kaapama, Bethuel Kavendjii, Collin Kamahozu, Michael Jimmy, Owen Shamena, Sima Luiperd, Vincent Kapumburu Likoro, and Uhuru Dempers “introduced the student representative council (SRC) system in Namibia and thereby democratised the then tyrannical prefect system.” He added: “He was one of the most brilliant minds produced by Nanso. His work for African students under the All African Students Union and the International Union of Students will forever be remembered. He died a die-hard Swapo member but a true nationalist indeed.”
His brother and comrade, lawyer Clive Kavendjii, reflected: “We were together in Nanso politics. Isaiah started his activism early. He dedicated a great deal of time to the movement. On a family level, he was an important figure who generously shared his knowledge, and we all learned so much from him.”
Adding to the tributes was former Cabinet minister and current parliamentarian, Pohamba Shifeta, who shared trenches with Kavendjii during their Nanso days.
“I have known comrade Isaiah Kavendjii for more than 35 years. The late Isaiah was one of the young activists in Nanso. After Namibia’s independence, Isaiah served in the Nanso national executive committee, which I had an opportunity to head as president. He was a strategist and an immaculate planner. When I left Nanso as president in 1996 to head the National Youth Council of Namibia, Isaiah became the acting president of Nanso. He was an active member of the Swapo Youth League before and after independence. He was one of the fearless young Namibians who took part in the struggle for Namibia’s independence. We will remember him as one of the youth activists before and after independence who contributed immensely to our nation building. May the soul of Kavendjii restore our hope for a better future.”