OTJISERANDU – Namibians from all walks of life thronged the tiny village of Otjiserandu in the Gam district over the weekend to bid farewell to former Otjozondjupa governor and Swapo Member Parliament James Unomasa Uerikua.
He was buried yesterday along with his son, Venturo Uaamakuje Uerikua.
For the inhabitants of Otjiserandu village and the greater Gam area, Uerikua was a beacon of hope and served as their ears, eyes and hands on the national stage.
Uerikua and Venturo died in a car accident over the Easter weekend.
Final journey
During Saturday’s memorial service and yesterday’s burial, it was evident from the grief-stricken faces of Otjiserandu villagers and Gam residents that Uerikua was more than a guide. He was the heartbeat of their community.
Their revered leader was being laid to rest.
As the procession to the graveyard began, family elders led the way, their faces lined with tears but proud, holding on to the memory of a man who had always believed in the power of their community.
Children clung to their mothers, eyes wide with confusion and loss, while young men and women carried out vital tasks with gentle strength, making sure that food was served well on time and that all mourners were well taken care of.
Last public appearance
At the graveyard, where Vice President Lucia Witbooi led the high table along with an avalanche of leaders from almost all political parties, the atmosphere was thick with pouring grief as Uerikua’s wife, Urira, was stretchered into the graveyard from the ambulance to witness the burial of her husband and son, Venturo, who had been described by his peers as young and promising.
Prayers and melodies of mourning rose in unison but were tinged with a gentle sense of gratitude for a life that had impacted every soul in almost every pocket of the Gam community.
The caskets of Uerikua and Venturo lay draped in vibrant white cloths, embroidered with symbols of Jesus Christ, reminders of his strong belief in hope and unity.
And flowers, both wild and bright, surrounded their caskets. As the caskets were lowered into the ground, villagers lingered, tears streaming freely, but also sharing stories of his kindness, resilience, and the dreams he had sown among the community’s youth.
“Today, we gather under the shadow of loss, united in grief, as we remember the lives of the late Honourable James Unomasa Uerikua and his beloved son, Venturo Uerikua, whose tragic death on 3 April 2026 has shaken our nation. These tragic circumstances under which they departed have left a deep void not only within the family but also in the hearts of many of our people.
The loss of his son, Venturo Uerikua, alongside him, elevates this tragedy to a level of sorrow that defies expression.
“It is a profound and saddening moment that strikes at the very soul of a family and at the core of our shared humanity. To mourn a father and his child in the same breath is a burden no family should ever be called upon to bear. Such an immense loss exceeds individual grief, resonating deeply with the moral sense of our nation and reminding us of the fragility of life and the depth of human bonds,” said Witbooi.
Ndorohima Tjijakura, father of Uerikua, with a voice trembling but clear, lost his right-hand man and beloved son.
“Today, it is deeply painful to bid farewell to our family’s beacon of hope, a young, beloved leader who guided us through darkness. His courage, his kindness and his unwavering support will forever illuminate the path of the young ones,” he said.
Legacy
An astute farmer, philanthropist, businessman, immaculate orator and calculated politician, Uerikua will be remembered as a strong voice in the Namibia-Germany genocide discussions and had recently also been elected as a member of the Bureau of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) Standing Committee on United Nations Affairs at the 151st IPU Assembly.
Born on 2 August 1982, Uerikua was a prominent Swapo politician best known for serving as the governor of the Otjozondjupa region from 2020 to 2025. Regarded as a “rising star” in Namibian politics, he transitioned to the National Assembly in March 2025 before his life was cut short in a tragic road accident on 3 April.
Beginning in 2006, Uerikua held roles as an agricultural extension technician and in development planning. He subsequently served as chief development planner in the Office of the Vice President between 2014 and 2020 and later as governor of the Otjozondjupa region from 2020 until 2025.
On the academic front, Uerikua held a Master of Law (LLM) in International Business Law from the University of Cumbria, Switzerland (2025); a Master of Business Administration Degree (MBA) from the Management College of Southern Africa, South Africa (2017); and a National Diploma in Agricultural Science from the University of Namibia, Neudamm Campus, among other academic qualifications.
According to those close to him, Uerikua was contemplating pursuing his PhD next year. He is survived by his wife, two sons, five siblings and parents.