KEETMANSHOOP - The country was last week rocked by the death of another political stalwart in the name of Ida Jimmy-!Ha-Eiros.
She passed away at the Keetmanshoop State Hospital after a short sickbed at the age of 79.
In his message of condolences to the family, President Nangolo Mbumba said he did not expect the passing of Jimmy-!Ha-Eiros, only two months following the death of former President Hage Geingob.
He added that in light of the fact that everyone has his/her own history and record, that of the (late) politician cannot be questioned. “She was such an imposing figure, with deep roots in our struggle for liberation,’’ he observed.
The Head of State said despite being imprisoned and tortured, nothing could stop her in the fight for an independent Namibia. “Our country is today free because of the role comrade Ida Jimmy played. She was indeed a leader and liberator of the Namibian people,” he emphasised.
Mbumba further described Jimmy-!Ha-Eiros’ loss as a great one for all Namibians.
“We, therefore, pay our utmost respect to our heroine, and honour her legacy of bravery and courage in the face of dangers, be it imprisonment, house detentions or physical torture, and will always respect her, honour her memory and salute her enormous courage,” said the politician.
Mbumba mentioned that her sisters, nieces and many children she raised have lost a pillar and the Namibian people have lost a brave freedom fighter and community builder.
The President further extended his condolences to the children, bereaved family, and rank and file of the Swapo Party and the Namibian nation at large. “May the Lord console and comfort us during this difficult time, and the soul of Comrade Ida Jimmy rest in eternal peace,” he continued.
Meanwhile, Swapo Party /Kharas regional coordinator Matheus Mumbala described Jimmy-!Ha-Eiros as a strong pillar of the party during the liberation struggle.
“She suffered a lot at the hands of the colonial regime, but never gave up until Namibia was Independent,” he said. He added that she never complained or sought recognition for the sacrifices she made. “Even on her sickbed, she still advised party members as a loyal cadre of Swapo would do,” he noted. Retired teacher and business owner Basil Brown said Jimmy-!Ha-Eiros was to his family like a member of the household. “During the liberation struggle, she used to find refuge at my grandfather’s house when sought by the apartheid security forces,” he stated. Brown continued that she was also a mother to many children in Lüderitz in her heydays.
“Personally, I never happened to know such a loyal supporter of the Swapo Party,” he added.
In his contribution, former //Kharas regional council chairperson and now clergyman Jan Scholtz described her as a generous, humble and loyal person. “She never asked for any gratification from government in return for her sacrifices and suffering endured for Namibia’s freedom,” he stressed.
When New Era interviewed her last year, she explained: “I grew up in a family house in Lüderitz with different races – and as children, we were never discriminated against, as we were told that ‘Buchters’ are one nation,”.
Until the day of her passing on, she remained politically active, albeit bedridden.
Jimmy-!Ha-Eiros served as one of the first
//Kharas regional councillors after Namibia gained its independence.
- sklukowski@nepc.com.na