It is with both a heavy heart and a deep sense of gratitude that I write these words in memory of a dear brother, comrade and Pan-African revolutionary, Comrade Isaiah Kavendjii. 

He was not only a proud son of the Land of the Brave, Namibia. 

To us in Zimbabwe and, indeed, across Southern Africa, he was a towering figure in the Pan-Africanist movement. 

His commitment to the ideals of the African Renaissance transcended national borders and generational divides. 

He believed in a united, self-determined Africa and dedicated his life to that vision. He did not just talk about unity and solidarity, but he lived it and inspired others to do the same. 

I first met Kavendjii in 1997, during the early days of my activism as a student leader at the University of Zimbabwe. At the time, we were locked in a bitter and complex struggle for freedom – ironically, against some of the very forces that had once led our liberation. That year marked my first journey beyond Zimbabwe’s borders, and I was headed to Namibia to engage with fellow student activists through the Namibia National Students’ Organisation (NANSO). 

The journey from Harare to Windhoek was long and testing, particularly the extended overland route from Katima Mulilo. Upon arriving in Windhoek, I contacted my NANSO liaison, Comrade Ivin Lombardt. A driver was sent to pick me up, and soon I arrived at the University of Namibia (Unam), where I met with Comrades Kavendjii, Ivin and the broader NANSO leadership. 

From the moment I arrived, I was embraced not just as a guest but as a brother. I was afforded every courtesy and welcomed with warmth, dignity and respect. Even at our youthful age, we had already cultivated the profound discipline of treating one another with honour. That was a powerful and unforgettable lesson. 

I had the privilege of addressing the NANSO Congress as a guest speaker, alongside fellow student leaders from Zambia and South Africa. But more than the speeches, it was the moments in between – the candid conversations, the late-night strategising and the mutual sharing of our struggles – that left the deepest impression on me. 

I shared with them the harsh realities we were facing in Zimbabwe. Without hesitation, our comrades from Namibia, Zambia and South Africa took those struggles as their own. That spirit of solidarity was real. It was lived. 

Then came a moment that still moves me deeply to this day. In a gesture of profound generosity, the NANSO leadership purchased a plane ticket for my re turn to Har are. What had taken three gruelling days by road became a comfortable three-hour flight. 

E en in our exuberance and idealism as young activists, we recognised the deep symbolism of that act. It was not just kindness – it was Ubuntu in its purest form. I have recounted that moment to countless people over the years, and it continues to remind me of the kind of continent we are capable of building – one bound by care, respect and shared purpose. 

Later that same year, when we launched the Zimbabwe National Students Union (ZINASU), both Kavendjii and Ivin travelled to Harare to witness the birth of a movement they had helped shape. Their presence was not simply ceremonial. It was a reaffirmation of the transnational bonds of activism and solidarity we had forged. 

This is the Kavendjii I mourn today: a true Pan-Africanist, a servant of the people, a friend and a brother. In his life, he offered direction. In his actions, he demonstrated commitment. And in his passing, we are reminded of the immense loss to our generation and our continent. 

Rest well, Comrade Kavendjii. Rest in Power. You may be gone, but your spirit continues to guide our struggle.