Hilma Hashange
The late Susan Ndataneke Nghidinwa, who passed away on 7 October, was laid to rest in her hometown of Tsumeb yesterday.
She was accorded an official memorial and funeral service by President Hage Geingob.
Nghidinwa, the first democratically elected mayor of Tsumeb, was hailed as a trendsetter for being the inaugural black female mayor of the Copper Town and served from 1993 to 1998.
In his speech, read by Tsumeb regional councillor Gottlieb Ndjendjela, Founding President Sam Nujoma praised the late Nghidinua for her diligent work ethic.
“Even if death has robbed us of the late comrade Nghidinwa, what is important is that we use this life to sow good works that outlive us. She has left behind a reminder that the values we live by defining us more than anything else. In her memory, let us keep the culture of servant leadership to honour her legacy when she served diligently and with integrity,” said Nujoma.
Echoing similar sentiments, President Geingob said Nghidinwa displayed the same administrative acumen and appetite for hard work that she had demonstrated while in exile.
“Throughout her distinguished career, meme Susan demonstrated the talent, power and ability of women to play a revolutionary role in the destinies of their countries and people. We salute this outstanding patriot for her invaluable contribution to the advancement of freedom, liberty and justice in the Republic of Namibia,” said the head of state in his speech, read on his behalf by defence and veterans’ affairs deputy minister Hilma Nicanor.
Nghidinua was born on 29 August 1937 at Eenhana.
She trained as a teacher after completing secondary school.
She later moved to Tsumeb in the early 1960s.
Having joined politics in 1961, she later formed part of Swapo’s military wing, the People’s Liberation Army of Namibia (PLAN), in 1974.
The late Nghidinwa later served as secretary for finance at the Pan-African Women’s Organisation in Angola until her retirement.
Nghidinwa, who was affectionately known as ‘Kulu’ by her grandchildren and those raised by her, is survived by five daughters and 10 grandchildren.