WINDHOEK – Namibia’s Ambassador to Egypt and former director of the Namibia Central Intelligence Service Andrew Intamba last week Thursday became the ninth national hero to be interred at Heroes Acre.
Intamba died on April 8 in the Rhino Park private hospital after being ill for some time. He is survived by his wife and five children.
Founding President Dr Sam Nujoma, Prime Minister Dr Hage Geingob and the Ambassador of the Republic of Mauritius to Egypt, Djamil Idris Fakim, who represented the group of African Ambassadors in Egypt during the proceedings joined President Hifikepunye Pohamba for the final send-off of Intamba.
Pohamba described Intamba’s life as a shining example of dedication, commitment and patriotism. “In this context, we will never forget the contribution that he made both during the national liberation struggle and after the attainment of our freedom and independence,” said Pohamba.
As Intamba’s coffin was lowered into the ground, the Namibian Defence Force performed a 17-gun salute in honour of the national hero. Cabinet ministers and other mourners took turns to close the grave with spades of sand as a symbol of the final act of decency and kindness for the departed. Itamba died just days before his 67th birthday.
Intamba joined other national heroes such as Dimo Hamaambo, Markus Kooper, Mose Tjitendero, Richard Kabajani, John Pandeni, Peter Tsheehama, John ya Otto Nankudu and Frederick Matongo who were buried at the national shrine since it was opened on August 26 2002.
The Cairo-based Namibian embassy that Intamba headed is accredited to North Africa and the Middle East, covering countries such as Algeria, Libya, Tunisia, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Lebanon, Jordan, Syria, Iran, Qatar, Bahrain, United Arab Emirates, Oman and Yemen.
During an interview with a local weekly last year Intamba was asked whether the fact that he was a former intelligence officer assisted him in any way given that he resided in an unstable region. Intamba’s response was: “Well it may, but the main reason why I do not have a problem in staying in an unstable region is that I was a Swapo PLAN combatant. I am used to these types of situations.”
When asked whether he intended to retire once his term of office came to an end, he responded: ” Of course that is a foregone conclusion that at the end of my term of office I will obviously retire unless my government needs my services.”
By Mathias Haufiku