ONGWEDIVA- The secretary general of Swapo, Sophia Shaningwa, said on many occasions, the late Marais Sadrag Nakale joined the party at public rallies and used his talent to canvas and mobilise support for it.
She said his passing is not only a great loss to his family but a great loss to the party and the entire Namibian nation to which he made a significant contribution with his amazing talent as an artist and outstanding singer.
“Comrade Nakale is a legend in the music industry, whose legacy will forever be remembered by all of us and generations to come. May his soul rest in eternal peace,” she added.
Nakale died on 24 September 2023 at Windhoek Central Hospital.
He has been battling cancer. He was 60.
His sister, Elina Shangelao Nakale said the singer was the breadwinner of the family.
“We lost a supportive brother. Whenever there is a problem in the family, he assists. It’s a big loss,” she said.
Elina added that Nakale was a peaceful man. He fought a good fight and kept faith while in bed because he has always been telling us to unite, she said.
Elina said two weeks ago, Nakale celebrated his 60th birthday at his homestead in Ekoka village in the Ohangwena region.
“He told us, he has a message before he dies because he wants to walk in a peaceful path,” his sister narrated.
According to her, while celebrating his birthday, Nakale said people should have peace in the village and never give up fighting against gender-based violence.
“Peace be with you. Everyone should be treated equally in my birthday party. Nobody should go back home without eating,” the late Nakale told people at his birthday party.
Over 500 people attended Nakale’s birth party.
Meanwhile, local musician Tate Buti said he met Nakale in 2007 as a man who does work on time.
Tate Buti, who has been working with Nakale in the music industry, said he learned a lot from Nakale because there was always a powerful message in his music.
“Nakale was one of the artists who valued the Oshiwambo language because his music was always in Oshiwambo,” he added.
Villagers from Ekoka described Nakale as a kind man who helped many people in need of food, especially the San community.
Also speaking to New Era, vice president of Namibian Albinism Association Trust, Walde Kambabi said Nakale did not like people with albinism to be called albinos, especially in the Oshiwambo version which is “Omakishi,”
“Nakale didn’t like albinos to be discriminated against. He was a special adviser to our organisation,” he said.
He was survived by his three children and two grandchildren.
Nakale will be laid to rest on Saturday at Ekoka village in the Ohangwena region.