Founding President Sam Nujoma has described the passing of renowned author and publisher Jane Katjavivi as a loss not only to her family and friends, but for Namibia at large.
Nujoma paid his respects to Katjavivi, who died on Tuesday while on a flight to Windhoek in the presence of her husband and National Assembly speaker Peter Katjavivi.
She was 70.
Through a statement issued by his foundation, he remembered Jane as a staunch anti-apartheid activist, who fought shoulder-to-shoulder alongside Namibians.
“The passing of comrade Jane Katjavivi is a great loss not only to the family, but also to the Swapo Party and the country as a whole,” Nujoma said.
Her contribution towards the total liberation of Namibia
from the yoke of apartheid is immaculate, he continued.
“Indeed, in comrade Jane Katjavivi, the Swapo Party has lost a dependable anti-apartheid activist and freedom fighter who went beyond the call of duty to ensure that Swapo was recognised as the sole, authentic representative of the Namibian people, and that Namibia is free and independent,” the elderly statesman noted.
“As a writer, editor and former publisher, with an academic background in African studies, she will not only be mourned by Namibia, but by colleagues and comrades on the African continent and in the international progressive movements.”
At independence, Jane set up New Namibia Books which focused on Namibian writing, and published 65 books over 10 years.
The books were mainly on literature, life stories, history, politics, traditional folktales, autobiographies, academic books, school textbooks and children’s books, “but also helped various book development associations in Namibia and continent-wide.”