President Hage Geingob has paid glowing tribute to the indomitable nationalist leader and a founder member of Swanu Chief Hosea Kutako. 

In a statement marking the 50th anniversary since his death, the President reminded Namibians to honour the memory of the late chief by promoting unity as well as fighting against division, tribalism and racism. 

Kutako, who was born in 1870, died on 18 July 1970. “Befittingly, we should honour the memory of Chief Kutako by acting with an acute sense of solidarity and unity of purpose as we work for social justice for the people of Namibia,” said Geingob. 

“On 26 August 2002, Chief Kutako was decorated at the inauguration of Heroes Acre as one of the first national heroes of our land. 

In 2019, the homestead of this great son of our land in Toasis in the Aminuis constituency (Omaheke region) was declared a national heritage site, and work has now commenced to upgrade the dwelling, and to erect a shrine in remembrance of his heroic role during the fight for freedom.” 

Popular Democratic Movement (PDM) leader McHenry Venaani also had nothing but kind words for the late chief in a tribute message delivered at Okahandja yesterday. “Chief Kutako was the lifeblood cell and connected with the young, up and coming Namibian revolutionaries, community activists and politicians at the time and moulded them into a formidable force against the then South African regime in South West Africa,” he said. 

“Chief Kutako served his people wholeheartedly and believed that the effectiveness of all work by any leader should ultimately be measured by real benefits the people have reaped, by the improvements in their lives and by how well their rights and interests are protected.”