As we mourn and remember one of Africa’s greatest liberation icons – the likes of Sam Nujoma and Kenneth Kaunda – I vividly remember Tatekulu Nujoma’s visit to Lüderitz in 1998, when we celebrated the importance of children under the theme ‘Putting children first’. 

As senior youth officer in the then-Ministry of Youth and Sport, I accompanied him to various projects, focusing on the first playground in Lüderitz. 

I engaged with the founding president and took him through establishing the playground there. 

Throughout the visit, the excitement and love for children showed on the face of Nujoma. 

He had a soft spot for children and constantly iterated the importance of their protection. 

Nujoma inspired a vision in the ministry regarding community projects. 

He believed in ideas that would benefit the larger community, one of the reasons he championed the formation of the Ministry of Youth and Sport, entrusting Pendukeni Ivula-Ithana to lead the ministry. 

During his tenure, Tatekulu Nujoma sent three young people to the University of Zambia for full-time youth work and development studies, of which I was part and completed. 

While in Zambia, I had the rare opportunity to meet Nujoma’s mentor, the late Kaunda. 

He encouraged us to commit to our studies, narrating the role of Nujoma’s involvement in the liberation struggle. 

The impact Tatekulu Nujoma had on people like me is immeasurable. 

As we near the day of his burial, Namibia shall forever be indebted to his sacrifices for the liberation of our motherland. 

His legacy will live on forever, and as per his famous words, “Our nation blazed the trail to freedom. 

It has arisen to its feet. 

As of today, we are masters of this vast land of our ancestors. 

The destiny of this country is now fully in our own hands. 

We should, therefore, look forward to the future with confidence and hope”. 

Rest in eternal peace, father of the Namibian nation. 

*Reverend Jan A Scholtz is the former chairperson of the // Kharas Regional Council and former! Nami#nus constituency councillor. He holds a Diploma in Theology, B-Theo (SA), a Diploma in Youth Work and Development from the University of Zambia (UNZA), as well as a Diploma in Education III (KOK) BA (HED) from UNISA.