By William Mbangula Ohakadu How would you feel if you were personally involved in an event and some few years later when the history of such an incident is narrated, out of ignorance you are not given a chance to speak but the floor is given to someone else who did not experience the situation first-hand? It is said that some politicians want to claim credibility for things they do not know or have not experienced. Jealousy and ignorance are said to be the key factors in these efforts to sideline others. For some journalists (and possibly others) who attended the 29th Cassinga Day commemoration at Ondeshifiilwa in Engela constituency (Ohangwena Region) on May 4, it was strange that the incident covering the fierce fighting which broke out after the implementation of UN Resolution 435 on April 1, 1989 was not told by people who were involved but was instead given to someone to tell the story on the basis of hearsay. Denying people the right to tell their story when they were invited to attend but not to speak, was described as totally unfair by some of the people who were present. Josephat Mundilo, alias Ben, is one of the battle-tested survivors of the Ondeshifiilwa clashes of April 1989. The village of Ondeshifiilwa which has now become famous on the calendar of the war in Namibia that ended 18 years ago and still relives memories of war atrocities similar to the Cassinga massacre on May 4, 1978, Oshikuku 1982, Oshatotwa 1976, the Herero genocide of 1904, and others, is located 40ÃÆ’Æ‘ÀÃ…ÃÆ”šÃ‚ km north-east of Oshakati. Mundilo was then a member of the Peoples Liberation Army of Namibia (PLAN), Swapo’s former military wing during the war of liberation. There are many people who may not have recognized his contribution to the liberation struggle, including some of the organizers of the Ondeshifiilwa commemoration recently and some of his immediate supervisors in the Namibian Police. After more than 10 years in the police force, he is still a constable, a position given him after spending six years in the country without a job. Some of this treatment evokes anger and frustration. Mundilo never imagined that he would become a soldier in his life but accepted his fate when that time came, so much so that it took him to a different world across Namibia’s northern border. One day in 1983, before the school knocked off at Oshedile Primary School at Onheleiwa, Mundilo found himself in a group of learners and teachers who were escorted to the border by PLAN combatants. The school is located less than four kilometres from the border. Since that day, his life and future has changed dramatically. He was then a Grade 10 learner, only 18 years old and full of ambition. He wanted to become a teacher like his mentor, Hendrick Hasheela. This did not happen. Instead, Mundilo joined the armed struggle and became a hardened soldier ready and prepared to sacrifice his precious life for the liberation of his fatherland. After completing his training as an air defence specialist (AD) at the famous Tobias Hainyeko Training Centre at Lubango in Angola, he joined the Moscow Battalion which was mainly a defensive unit. Later, in 1987, he became a member of the more aggressive Northern front under the command of the current Commissioner of the Namibian Special Field Force, Ruben Danger Ashipala. On April 1, 1989 Mundilo was part of two groups under the command of Negumbo LyaKandenge, also known as German. One of the groups was stationed at Okahenge and the other at Ondeshifiilwa. The intended assembly point where they could have been confined to a base by the UNTAG (United Nations Transitional Assistance Group) was Ondjabalala village. The first to be attacked was the group at Okahenge on April 1, and the next day – April 2, 1989 – Mundilo and his comrades were attacked as they were approaching Ondeshifiilwa village from Ongenga. They were attacked while at Heskiel and Natalia Naunyango’s homestead. Said Mundilo: “I have experienced many battles such as Ohangwena, Omafo, Oshikango, Omungwelume and many others, but the fighting at Ondeshifiilwa was too difficult for us because we were outnumbered and far away from logistical supplies. Despite all these shortcomings we were able to inflict heavy casualties on the enemy too”. Mundilo told New Era they fought bravely against the mechanized and air-power support of the enemy until they decided to make a tactical retreat. He suffered no injuries. A bullet narrowly missed his abdomen, splitting the water container he was carrying on his waist. Mundilo brought the damaged container to the commemoration ceremony as part of his war exhibit. From the battlefield on that fateful day, he went to Ongobe Yaola village, where he tried to obtain a radio to monitor the enemy war communiquÃÆ’Æ‘Æ‘ÃÆ”šÃ‚© and to exchange his uniform for civilian clothes. Natalia Nautwima gave him the clothes. A few days later, he was part of a group of civilians who buried his 21 fallen comrades before he was escorted across the border with a wounded comrade by Reverend Adolf Hangula and former School Inspector Paulus Poho Haufiku. He returned almost two months later for good, under the UN repatriation programme. Mundilo noted: “I will be failing in my duty if I did not pay tribute and homage to the people who assisted us before and after the battle, such as Reverend Hangula of Ongenga, former School Inspector Haufiku, Kalola and Natalia Kandonga, Simeon Kandeshe Hamunyela from Ongudi village, and many others.” Looking back after 17 years of independence, Mundilo says he is proud that the country is enjoying peace and tranquility, with himself and others having contributed to its achievement. On economic and social development in the country, he says much has been achieved under the Swapo-led government, but there is still room for improvement especially in relation to the review of the admission policy of Grade 10 dropouts, provision of electricity, roads, water and employment. He personally feels that former combatants should be provided with employment and other reasonable and essential benefits as a token of appreciation for their sacrifices during the war of liberation.