National Assembly speaker Peter Katjavivi has expressed his family’s gratitude for the support and prayers that Namibians and the international community have shown, following the passing of his “dear wife” Jane Katjavivi.

Eulogised as an English Rose, whose aroma will forever engulf Namibia, Jane died last month while on a flight to Windhoek in the presence of her husband. She was buried a week later at the Pioneerspark Cemetery in Windhoek. Hundreds of mourners, including President Hage Geingob witnessed the service.

“On my own behalf, that of our children, grandchildren, and our entire family, my in-laws: Sarah Gornall, John Coles, Helen Negret, and their spouses, relatives, and friends, I would like to take this opportunity to convey our very special heartfelt thanks and appreciation to the entire public for the support and solidarity that they shared with us during the very difficult time of the untimely, painful loss and bereavement of my dear beloved wife,” Katjavivi said.

He also expressed his sincere gratitude to President Geingob and his wife Monica and Vice-President Nangolo Mbumba for taking time out of their busy schedules to support the family during this trying time. Katjavivi said he is particularly pleased with the acknowledgement of his wife’s contribution to nation-building, Africa-wide developmental initiatives and the overall warm tributes that were shared in her honour, outstandingly by Founding President Sam Nujoma and former President Hifikepunye Pohamba.

He also gave a special thank you to speaker of the Zimbabwean parliament, Francis Nzwidamilimo Mudenda, who he said had delivered a tribute from the SADC region. “I wish to thank my fellow parliamentarians, who performed a song during the course of the memorial and funeral services. To me, this represented true meaning of the saying that goes, ‘a true friend stands with you during good and difficult times’,” Katjavivi said. Equally, Katjavivi thanked the National Assembly for its commitment to help him and the family with the arrangements of the memorial and burial of the late Jane.

“We would like to deeply thank the dean and the leadership of the Anglican Church for the special support to our family and also for acknowledging my dear wife’s contribution to the work of St George’s Anglican Diocese,” Katjavivi said.

“Our families would also like to inform the Namibian public that the diplomatic corps within the country, several parliamentary institutions around the globe and friends from all corners of the world shared their grief on the untimely passing of my dear wife,” he added. 

He said these sentiments would forever be appreciated and cherished by the Katjavivi family, especially him, as Jane’s life companion and the Coles family.

“We also appreciate the medical team that attended to her as well as the funeral undertakers who helped us to give her a befitting farewell. To all our extended family from both sides, my deepest appreciation,” he added.