Late archbishop Petrus Katikisa Daniel Tjijombo of the First St. John’s Apostolic Faith Mission Church will be laid to rest on 6 August at his homestead in Otjiuaneho, Otjinene, in the Omaheke region.

This was revealed by Bishop Uazenga Ngahahe to Nampa on Thursday. Tjijombo died at his residence in Windhoek on 16 July, aged 87.

On Friday, the First St. John’s Apostolic Faith Mission Church was rebranded as the Father Tjijombo St. John’s Mission Church in honour of Tjijombo, who established the church in 1960.

Speaking at the renaming ceremony, deputy minister of international relations and cooperation Jenelly Matundu said the congregation was witnessing a milestone in the history of the church.

“Archbishop has worked for his whole lifetime. It is really unfortunate that today we are unable to witness the smile that could have been on his face and listen to his acceptance speech as he accepts the honour of being named after the church in which he spent his whole life,” she said.

Speaking to Nampa on the sideline of the event, the late archbishop’s nephew and politician Mike Kavekotora said there is no one who can fully take up his place, as he was a giant.

Tjijombo, he said, has left a “legendary spiritual legacy as well as motivation to the church congregation and his family”.

The rebranding was followed by a memorial service in honour of Tjijombo on Sunday at the church.  The Brass Band and the entire community received his casket from the B1 Road alongside Katutura State Hospital and accompanied it to the church.  President Hage Geingob described him as a “selfless man, who will be remembered for his selfless service to the community and dedication to the freedom of Namibia”.  

- Nampa