Alvenus F. Dreyer
It was way back in the year 2009 when I for the first time met the late Pastor Willem Pieters.
I was doing vox-pops for a local commercial radio programme which was spearheaded by the organisation “Social Call”. Pastor Pieters had to give his expert view/opinion from a religious and community leader’s point of view.
Since he had a very busy and tight schedule, it was almost impossible to have an appointment with him.
I wanted to opt for a different source, but my manager (owner of Social Call) insisted that I interview Pastor Pieters. Back then, the current available communication modes such as Facebook, WhatsApp and YouTube were not as relevant as they are today.
Access to the internet for email and/or Google purposes were also kind of scarce and/or limited. It was even harder to get someone’s email address in order for you to send them questions in advance.
Since the topic for the radio programme, although it dealt with health and community issues, was a bit sensitive, it was advisable for me to have the interview questions sent in advance.
This, however, could not happen as a result of limited time, running against the scheduled date for the programme.
On the day of this specific interview with Pastor Pieters, I had to rush to the Tabitha centre in Katutura to at least have half-an-hour of his time.
I was surprised as to how well the pastor in a space of 30 minutes responded to the questions he only got to see/read on the hour.
His contribution at the end added so much value to the programme. His great sense of humour and professionalism, coupled with wisdom, made our conversation so intact. Over the many years since that once in a lifetime interview with someone I want to refer to as a “legend”, we occasionally met. He was as ready as ever with his social, religious and political consciousness and intellect.
Many Namibians across tribal, regional, political, church and social boundaries definitely took a leaf from his teachings. Me, I was personally inspired by his famous adage, which he quite often would end his teachings with.
Pastor Pieters would always say in his native Nama language, “Ab /Khoma hoada //haro”, simply translating as, “Let the grace of God be with us all”. Go well Pastor Willem Pieters, Hamba Kahle.