Linea Dishena
When Antonius Ndemudina Nakale met late Founding President Sam Nujoma in Lusaka, Zambia in 1980, he did not know that 10 years down the line, he would become his most trusted messenger.
Now 67, Nakale narrated with pride how he served Nujoma, the first president of the Swapo Party and Namibia, as a committed and trusted confidante for 25 years.
In an interview with Nampa recently, Nakale said he was only 22 years old when he met Nujoma, then aged 51, for the first time.
His first assignment was as one of Nujoma’s informants between Lusaka and Lubango, Angola.
He was transferred there in 1987 as head of information, responsible for all communication from the frontline to Nujoma when he was visiting military frontlines in southern Angola.
Nakale was still serving as a combatant in the People’s Liberation Army of Namibia (PLAN).
Decisive
Three years later in April 1990, one month after Namibia gained independence from the racist apartheid South African regime, Nakale became the founding president’s right-hand informer, responsible for communications between the world and Nujoma.
He witnessed some of Nujoma’s most defining moments of strength, conviction and decisiveness.
He said these qualities defined Nujoma.
“He was decisive… what comes to his heart, he does not let go, and he was prompt to make decisions,” he added.
Nakale admired Nujoma’s strength of instilling hard work in those around him.
With information-gathering and dissemination never stopping, and being his right-hand man, he said he was involved in daily activities.
These included handling calls on behalf of Nujoma, collecting his medication, having passports stamped, carrying bags and suitcases, and ensuring the president’s safety.
“Nujoma fostered dedication and had a vision. We were so loyal to work that money came second… He trusted me with everything.
I never really had time to visit my home, as he told me ‘let us work’. So, crucial information, I had to inform him immediately,” he recounted.
Nakale fondly remembers Nujoma’s determination to complete the construction of the railway line from Tsumeb to Ondangwa.
This was despite some people saying it was impossible to construct a railway line of that magnitude with men and wheelbarrows, and that he was wasting his time.
“Nujoma decided, and it was done. Like many Namibians, he picked up a spade to show that it can be done,” Nakale added.
When Nujoma retired as Namibian president in 2005, he asked for Nakale’s transfer to the Namibian Police Force to continue as messenger for former president Hifikepunye Pohamba.
Nakale also fondly remembers Nujoma paying him a visit in 2014 when he suffered a stroke, which led to his hospitalisation for two months.
This was a profound gesture of Nujoma’s caring heart, he said.
“I am thankful for his prayers and those who prayed for my recovery. Here I am today, talking about this gallant son of Namibia,” he added.
Nakale, who retired from the Namibian Police Force with the rank of commissioner in 2018, reiterated that Nujoma had his vision.
“We might not know it, but it worked. Namibia is free forever… I never thought my exile days would bring me to becoming Nujoma’s trusted man. Ninety-five years is not a joke. His mates (Robert) Mugabe, (Nelson) Mandela, (Kenneth) Kaunda left (died)… We are thankful that he has done enough for us to carry on,” he remarked.
-Nampa