President Hage Geingob has conferred the honour of a state funeral on the late former minister and Swapo stalwart Immanuel Ngatjizeko who passed on 5 March 2022 due to ill health.
He was 69.
Geingob announced the remains of the late Ngatjizeko would be interred on a date and place to be agreed to in consultation with the family.
Ngatjizeko was born at Otjohorongo near Omaruru in the Erongo region.
He became a member of parliament in 2000 after he was appointed director-general of the National Planning Commission.
Ngatjizeko served the people of Namibia through various portfolios such as mines and energy deputy minister. He also served as minister in portfolios such as trade, labour, safety and security as well as presidential affairs until he resigned from office in 2018 for health reasons.
Paying tribute, Geingob described the former minister and member of parliament as a dedicated freedom fighter, an affable colleague, and a member of the Namibian Cabinet who served the people of Namibia with great passion, distinction, and commitment.
Popular Democratic Movement (PDM) leader McHenry Venaani has also expressed profound sadness at the news of the passing of the veteran politician.
Venaani reflected on a life well lived and is left saddened by the passing of what he describes as a “distinguished gentleman, candid and humble political figure”.
Equally, he recounted the impact that Ngatjizeko had on the political arena, saying this is proven by his receipt of the Most Brilliant Order of the Sun, Second Class, in 2014.
“Minister Ngatjizeko’s personal modesty belied his courage, conviction, and firm and principled outlook on life and domestic affairs,” Venaani remarked.
He called all Namibians to build on his indelible legacy.
Ngatjizeko attended Augustineum Secondary School in Windhoek and was a prominent figure in the struggle for liberation inside Namibia. He also worked for the Council of Churches in Namibia, a prominent anti-apartheid voice before independence.
After independence, Ngatjizeko was elected to the Swapo party central committee in 1991 and to the Swapo party politburo in 2007.
– anakale@nepc.com.na