Reaching out to the needy and making an impact to the lives of many are virtues of humanity. Making sacrifices for the cause of others and a valuable contribution to the development of distant people signify exceptional generosity. These attributes befits a person like Lahja Lehtonen, affectionately known as Kanyeku, who departed to eternity on 19 August 2016.
Born on 3 August 1927 in Helsinki, Finland, Kanyeku had no place to call a permanent dwelling. Her father, Reverend Mauri Lehtonen, moved from one place to another, serving the Lutheran church, later settling in Messukylä Parish. This moulded Kanyeku into a great missionary that she became some years later. Kanyeku attended Primary school at Jämsäkonski, progressing all the way up until she graduated from the University of Helsinki with a Master of Arts degree in Languages, in the footsteps of her beloved mother, Margit Lehtonen, who too had a Master of Philosophy degree in Languages.
In 1954, at the age of 27, she set for Namibia and started teaching at the girls’ school at Oshigambo. In 1960, together with a fellow missionary, Toivo Tirronen, they founded Oshigambo High School, the first secondary school in the then Owambo. After Tirronen left to Finland in the mid-1970s, Kanyeku became Principal. In 1977, Timoteus Ndakunda, Kanyeku’ss former learner at Oshigambo joined her as Vice Principal. Ndakunda learned leadership and management skills from his former teacher and they subsequently switched roles in 1980. Status and position were non-issues to Kanyeku that she readily stepped down from the position of Principal to become Vice Principal, in favour of Ndakunda. Hers was a dedication to duty and singleness of purpose, i.e. to teach and develop the Namibian people.
This woman of substance was a distinguished educator and researcher par excellence. She imparted such skills onto her learners, whose command of the Queen’s language became the envy of learners from other schools. What a consummate missionary! Kanyeku authored three books: History book for Standard Three (co-authored with Kristi Ihamäki); the history of schools in Owambo from 1870 to 1970; and the history Oshigambo from 1650 to 1950. I commend her for such a contribution to publications on our history. Fellow countrymen and women, hat off for her, please!
Kanyeku completely associated herself with Oshigambo parish, to which she and Toivo Tironnen dutifully paid tithes. She never forgot people whom she associated with, irrespective of their status in the society. She further remained grateful for any assistance or service that the received while serving in Namibia. Accordingly, when I visited her at home while on an official mission to Finland, in October 2005, she gave me money to take to her former housekeeper at Oshigambo. Needless to say that the amount was more than a monthly social grant that the former housekeeper received by then. Further, after publication of her book on the history of Oshigambo, she requested me to donate proceeds from the sale of her books to a charity institution in Namibia – what a generosity! What a humanity!
Politically, Kanyeku was a no-nonsense woman who frequented the military base of the South African Defence Force (SADF), at Oshigambo, to confront the colonial regime forces for the mischievous activities that they habitually committed at Oshigambo High School, which was barely about 500 metres from the base. Her relentless efforts resulted in the military base being moved two kilometres away from the school. At times SADF arrested principal Ndakunda and, behold! Kanyeku went to the base to take the bull by its horns. She did not mince her words. Believe me, walls sounded thunders, the sand trembled, leaves fell from trees and fountains ran out of water. Oh yes! That was Lahja Lehtonen for you.
Following the implementation of the UN Security Council Resolution 435/78 in 1989 providing for the transitional period to independence and free and fair elections, the South African colonial regime introduced a law whereby anyone who have lived in Namibia for at least four years became eligible to vote. This was made in a bid to swell the votes of their stooges taking part in elections. While other missionaries adopted a non-participatory approach and focused on their mission to serve the church, Kanyeku would not allow South Africa to get away with murder. Being determined to end colonialism in Namibia, she registered to vote and was given the honour of casting the first vote at Oshigambo polling station on 7 November 1989. She returned to Finland in 1991. The rest is history.
What is in a name? Lahya is a Finnish name meaning “gift”. She was indeed Namibia’s God-given gift. That she was popular and well-liked is a matter of public record. If in dispute, count the number of namesakes that she has in Namibia. Kanyeku touched the lives of many and worked for the betterment of our people. She left imprints on our hearts and fond memories in our heads. Above all, she remained true to herself. As we surrender her mortal remains to the soil on 10 September 2016 in Munkkivuori, Helsinki, we must find solace from the fact that she has grown seeds that has yielded crops. Toukokuu sielunsa levätä ikuisessa rauhassa!
• Dr Peya Mushelenga is the Deputy Minster of International Relations and Cooperation and Member of Parliament.