Maria David
Hesron Kapanga
ETUNDA – Kambalanu Honecker, the former personal driver of Founding President Sam Nujoma, was more than just a chauffeur.
He was a confidante, a silent observer to the inner workings of leadership, and a witness to some key moments that shaped the Namibian nation.
Honecker shared his memories in an interview with Nampa on Wednesday, offering a rare glimpse into the human side of a leader who dedicated his life to Namibia.
Honecker, now 67, joined the liberation struggle at the age of 19 as a fighter in the People’s Liberation Army of Namibia (Plan).
In 1985, he was sent to Libya for advanced military training before being appointed head of the bodyguards on the battlefield.
After his training, he was assigned as the bodyguard of Solomon Awala, then deputy commander of Plan.
“At the time, I returned to the fort during the liberation struggle, stationed at a base called ‘Smoke Cell.’ Later, all commanders were instructed to return to Luanda, Angola, where we were to meet the founding president.
That was the first time I saw Nujoma, from a distance, before being invited to join a meeting of commanders led by him,” he recalled.
Before becoming Nujoma’s driver, Honecker received defensive driving training in Zambia. In 1987, he was appointed as one of the VIP drivers assigned to the president. Just two years later, he was entrusted with being Nujoma’s personal driver – a position he held until his retirement in 2018.
“During my time with the late president, I witnessed the aura of true leadership.
His words carried power, and when he gave a command, the mission was always accomplished,” Honecker remarked while reflecting on his years of service.
He further described Nujoma as a disciplined man who valued honesty. His primary duty was to ensure the president’s safety at all costs – a responsibility that was tested in a chilling incident near Ongwediva in the early 2000s.
“We were travelling towards Oshakati when, without warning, another vehicle came speeding directly towards us. In the face of what seemed like an imminent collision, Nujoma remained remarkably calm,” he recalled.
“The leadership Nujoma demonstrated during the struggle for independence was the same leadership he used to lead the Namibian people after Namibia gained independence.”
Honecker emphasised that Nujoma’s teachings of bravery and honesty will always remain with him -values that helped shape Namibia’s path to independence.
Founding President Sam Nujoma passed away at the age of 95 in Windhoek on Saturday. -Nampa