Hilma Hashange

OMUTHIYA – Mourners from all walks of Oshikoto region on Saturday conveyed messages of condolences during a regional memorial service for late Founding President Sam Nujoma.

The regional memorial was held at the ELCIN church in Omuthiya. 

The service, which commenced with hymns by mourners, was sombre yet celebratory.

 Community members were mainly in black apparel, with some clad in their party colours.

“We are gathered here today, as much as we are mourning, to celebrate the life of a revolutionary leader. Let us mourn, but also celebrate his great legacy,” said the chief regional officer of Oshikoto Regional Council, Christella Mwenyo, who served as director of proceedings.

“We are not only mourning a death, but celebrating a life worth living. I request all the young people of this country to emulate the life of Tatekulu Nujoma,” Samuel Shivute, the council’s chairperson, added.

During the same occasion, former People’s Liberation Army of Namibia (PLAN) combatants from the region gathered to sing revolutionary songs.

They praised the role the late founding president played in liberating the country from the South African apartheid regime.

Oshikoto regional coordinator of Swapo Armas Amukwiyu noted that the extraordinary journey of the late Nujoma to free his people should be celebrated.

He said the nation should not mourn Nujoma’s demise, but celebrate his immaculate contributions.

“Nujoma was a rare soul. His departure from this world leaves a void. When you talk about Namibia, you talk about Nujoma. Today, more than ever, it is our duty to continue the journey he began, ensuring his dream remains alive,” said a visibly emotional Amukwiyu, who kept singing revolutionary songs throughout his speech.

Oshikoto governor Penda ya Ndakolo, who served as a regional councillor under the leadership of the late Nujoma, testified to how great Nujoma was as an advisor.

He said the founding father transformed South African military bases into institutions such as schools and health centres. 

“He transformed Okatope and Okankolo military bases into health centres. Onyaanya military base was transformed into a poultry farm. Onashikuvu in Omuthiya was transformed into a Combined school,” said the governor.

Ondonga Traditional Authority chief Omukwanilwa Fillemon Shuumbwa Nangolo reminded mourners that it was chief Hosea Kutako who gave Nujoma a send-off into exile.

“The man who touched his shoulder was Chief Kutako. He said to Nujoma, ‘Go where you are heading. I am giving you my assistance’. That is why when Nujoma returned from exile, he never forgot who assisted him, nor did he boast about his close relations with a chief who sent him off,” said the Omukwanilwa.

Nangolo thanked the government for holding memorial services in all regions in honour of the late founding president.

*Hilma Hashange is an information officer at MICT Oshikoto.