The Aminuis constituency is no exception and has produced outstanding leaders, in the mould of the great Chief Hosea Katjikururume Kutako, chief Kuaima Riruako, Kambanderu Kauta, Komozombongo Tjiteza, Willem Kamaikete Tjeja, Claudius Heuva, and the list goes on and on.
A generation or so after those iconic greats came a principled, outspoken, and fearless community leader-cum-farmer and business personality of note who passed on Sunday, 5 May, 2024, the immortal Utarera Borry Katjiuanjo, better known as ‘Baas Borry’.
His acumen in terms of leadership skills was not necessarily derived from any significant formal studies or leadership theories but was based on pure common sense, natural ability, a sense of authority, and the ruthless application of the rules of the society he so diligently served. Just mention the name Borry Katjiuanjo, and almost anyone, young and old, immediately know who you are talking about. He was a larger-than-life figure who lived a well-structured life, constantly putting the competitive bar at unheard-of heights.
Not afraid to speak his mind openly, he trampled on numerous toes during his tenure as a community leader, and so controversy was never far away from his application of leadership. He pioneered and was part of so many projects where his influence magnificently ruled supreme. His calming influence, mental strength, and willingness to push society’s boundaries made him a natural choice as a leader amongst many people in Aminuis and Namibia at large.
He was and remains an absolute colossal of our time, someone to look up to for direction when things got really tough.
He was a highly regarded and accomplished farmer, whose farming prowess rubbed off everyone who happened to cross his earthly paths. Many of us benefited tremendously from his generosity in sharing his vast knowledge and experience of farming with everyone. His knowledge of the agricultural economy, especially cattle breeding, which he expertly turned into a business model, was profound and exemplary. He played in this dog-eat-dog world of cattle business, which was wholly dominated by white farmers and largely succeeded where very few could make the grade.
He became a trendsetter and a reference point for people in this sector all over Namibia, especially in his beloved Aminuis constituency. The farming business was his heartbeat, and his epoch-making successes are well documented. He earned his respect through sheer determination and a never-say-die attitude.
For a person who had almost no educational qualifications of any sort, basically a layman, his emphasis on the importance of education on every public platform he happened to be on was legendary. He did this with passion and conviction, to the extent that it almost became a trademark of his. His general contributions towards education upliftment, which amounted to thousands of Namibian dollars in cash or kind, stemmed from his call that children must attend, finish school, and qualify themselves. He never compromised on this principle, and it remained uppermost in his consciousness throughout his lifetime.
He was a traditionalist through and through. He never hid his origin in terms of traditional allegiance. He proclaimed and supported the Ovambanderu community with everything at his disposal, be it materially, intelligently, or physically. One can say without any fear of contradiction that he sacrificed life and limb to elevate any cause of the Ovambanderu to the necessary heights and recognition. He did this without fear or favour, reminding us always that part of his reason to live was to advance the Ovambanderu cause, hence his appointment as a senior councillor of the Ovambanderu people. Even more appreciative is the balance he always struck between his sacred issues and his affection for fellow human beings of all walks of life, be they friends or foes.
He always seemed to realise that life is not just about continuous fights and toiling but that there must be adequate time to enjoy the less serious part of life, hence his constant presence at leisure events like weddings, horse racing, agricultural shows, or sporting events.
One of his characteristics was that you always knew where you stood with him. He never relegated you to a guessing game in this regard. Straightforward, somewhat arrogant, and hot-headed, it was never easy to argue, let alone convince him about anything; if he had already taken a position, never!
In all these, he remained a great family man to his dear wife, children, nieces, cousins, and extended family. He pushed his children to be exemplary and maintain a strict work ethic while drilling in most of them the virtues of humility and appreciation for the next person. He was equally a great clan leader in all respects, and his love for the Ovakuatjivi (maternal lineage) was proclaimed proudly at every occasion.
I want to personally thank this giant of a man for the mentor and father figure he has been to many of us through the years. Some of us who knew him very well were assured that we had a leader and protector in our midst. I am sure his influence and legacy will resonate with us for eternity.
So long, dear uncle, you have successfully completed your earthly journey, and you journeyed it well. Go well, big man.
*Pecka Semba is a resident of the Aminuis constituency.