Zebaldt Ngaruka
Paheja Siririka
A dark cloud has settled over Namibia as tributes pour in following the death of anti-apartheid and liberation struggle icon, Archbishop Petrus Katikisa Daniel Tjijombo.
Tjijombo passed away at his residence in Windhoek yesterday. A diverse group of mourners has since gathered outside St
John’s Apostolic Faith Mission church in
the heart of Katutura to pay their final respects to the 87-year-old priest.
Leading the tributes yesterday was President Hage Geingob, who described Tjijombo as a selfless man.
“I have learned with sadness about the passing of Bishop Petrus Tjijombo. Bishop Tjijombo will be remembered for his selfless service to the community and dedication to the freedom of Namibia,” he said yesterday in a statement issued by the Presidency. Geingob asked the family and the bereaved community to draw solace from Psalm 34:18, which reads: “The Lord is close to the broken-hearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit”.
“Indeed, God is with the family, and shall provide the necessary strength and support for healing during this difficult period,” he stated.
The Head of State continued: “On behalf of the people and the government of the Republic, I convey my deepest condolences to the bereaved children, the family and the St John’s Apostolic Faith Mission. May his soul rest in peace.” The President and Tjijombo enjoyed cordial
relations. “I have fond memories of Bishop Tjijombo following my return from exile, and we forged a connection that remained until his death. I travelled to Gobabis after independence to visit the place through which I travelled when I undertook my journey into exile. To my surprise, I was received in Gobabis by Bishop Tjijombo and the St. John’s Apostolic Brass Band, which performed excellent renditions. We remained friends ever since.
“Towards the end of last year, I informed Pastor Mbazuvara that I needed to visit my friend Bishop Tjijombo in Katutura. We visited Pastor Tjijombo, and enjoyed a good lunch with him and members of the church, accompanied by the St. John’s Apostolic Brass Band. His generosity of spirit and friendliness should inspire current and future generations to dedicate their lives to serve fellow Namibians.”
Passionately known as Muhonge Tjijombo, the late clergyman contributed immensely to the liberation struggle of the country. “Muhonge Tjijombo was recognised by the government as a war veteran due to his unwavering support for the country’s independence against colonial oppressors,” said church spokesperson Uazenga Ngahahe.
Tjijombo was arrested by the South African apartheid regime soldiers when he was sent by Swapo to collect money at the Buitepos area through his missionary work in the fight against the repugnant apartheid regime.
“He was brave, principled and good at inspiring people in many aspects of their lives. He will be missed by many as he was a father figure in our society,” Ngahahe observed. He added that Tjijombo’s contribution to the political liberation earned him several recognitions, amongst them a street name in Katutura.
“The former Spreuke Street is now named Bishop PDK Tjijombo Street. This is a symbol of his bravery, and his legacy will remain,” said Ngahahe.
Reverend Bishop Waylie Vekarapo Upi of the Oruuano Church said Tjijombo was a brave man when it came to the liberation struggle of Namibia, and instilled religious morals and values in people.
“He had a mission in life, and that was to spread the word of God. I will remember him as a courageous and amazing teacher. He was my mentor, and even though we are from different churches, we were always in touch and constantly communicated. As a matter of fact, he called me last week, and we spoke about numerous things and prayed together,” recalled Upi.
“I was called around 04h00 to be notified of his passing, and that signified the important role he played in my life that the messenger couldn’t wait to inform me later, but needed to do it early enough,” noted Upi.
“He was a principled and cultured man in his teachings. He would always give a reference to culture,” he said. Rally for Democracy and Progress (RDP) leader Mike Kavekotora said he will remember Tjijombo for his unwavering support to communities.
“The late Tjijombo and I are both from Okaoko, and that was before he came to settle here in Otjinene. My grandmother gave the bishop’s mother a book with songs/hymns (okatikisa), and nobody knew that she was expecting. Hence, the bishop was named Katikisa,” he said.
The politician was impressed with the way Tjijombo struck a balance between church and politics.
“He was a devoted Swapo member, but during his lifetime, he never mixed politics with the church. He used to be vocal about it in church. He simply didn’t care about people’s political affiliations. Here I am the president of RDP, yet he found time to mentor me spiritually,” he added.
Claudius Chicco Ndjarakana, who is a neighbour of the late archbishop Tjijombo, said it is not easy for him to accept the news of his departure.
“He was my father. I used to speak to him every day, and he was well all these days. The bad news reached me while performing at a festival of Orujano rua Christus Church of Bishop Clark Kandjavera in the early morning. My Sunday is spoiled. I don’t know what to do,” Ndjarakana grieved.
Bishop Tjijombo is the founder of the St. John’s Apostolic Faith Mission in Namibia.
He was born in 1936 in Kaokoland, present-day Kunene north. Tjijombo is survived by his wife and 34 children.
Funeral arrangements are yet to be announced.