By John Muyamba
RUNDU – Kavango West Governor Sirkka Ausiku has described the late Hompa Daniel Sitentu Mpasi who passed away on Wednesday as a fearless leader whose heroics should be celebrated by all residents of Kavango West.
Hompa Mpasi, 80, died from chronic illness at Nkurenkuru Health Centre in Kavango West.
“We have lost a fearless leader of the VaKwangali tribe, not only for the Kwangalis but for both Kavangos and Namibia at large. I would like to give my condolences to the bereaved royal family, the entire Ukwangali community as well as the entire Kavango West and East region,” said Ausiku.
Ausiku said the Hompa was a fearless leader who contributed immensely to the liberation of Namibia and its independence.
“During the liberation struggle he really supported the Namibian people, he even risked his own life,” stated the grief-stricken governor.
“He continued working hard even after independence with the government. He even went to the extent of availing land for development and one of the noticeable contributions was availing land for the Musese green scheme project which is contributing a lot to the region and country. He also availed land to different developments like schools and health facilities as well as churches and also to the ELCIN Church to build Nkurenkuru High School, which is now providing better education in the region,” reminisced Ausiku.
The 80-year old chief had 13 children of whom five predeceased him and he now leaves behind nine children, 40 grandchildren, six great-grandchildren and his wife.
His palace is at Mayara east of Nkurenkuru on the road to Kahenge.
Senior councillor of the Ukwangali Tribal Authority Johannes Kandjimi who confirmed the chief’s demise said for the past three weeks the Hompa had been receiving treatment at the health facility for different chronic ailments.
“He had been battling illness but in July things got worse and since then he was in and out of hospital. He was taken to Windhoek, then to Rundu hospital and Nankudu hospital for medical observation and treatment and was transferred to Nkurenkuru hospital where he died,” he said.
Hompa Mpasi ruled Ukwangali from 1979 until his passing away two days ago marking the end of his reign of 35 years.
The body of the chief was transported to a private mortuary in Rundu on Wednesday where it will be kept until his burial.
The family are still to set and confirm the burial date.