RUNDU - President Hage Geingob has accorded former Rundu mayor and pioneer veteran of the Namibian liberation struggle Gosbert Lyambai Mandema Sikerete (77) a state funeral. He died on 18 November.
Sikerete is set to be interred at Rundu’s Sarusungu graveyard on Saturday. A family memorial service took place Thursday afternoon, while the state memorial service is set for today, both at the Rundu Trade Fair hall.
Sikerete was Rundu mayor for two terms, first in 2007, and again in 2010. He has been a member of the management committee since 2004 to 2007, and again in 2009.
“I wish to inform you that His Excellency the President on recommendation of the National Honours Advisory Committee has agreed to confer a state funeral on the late Mr. Gosbert Mandema Sikerete, and for the subsequent interment of his remains at a place and date as agreed to with his family,” said the minister in the Presidency Christine //Hoebes in a statement on 28 November.
Geingob lauded the late Mandema as a pioneer veteran of the Namibian liberation struggle, who exceptionally played a significant role in the political mobilisation of Namibians in the Kavango and Zambezi regions in the early 1960s.
“The late Mandema’s immense contributions to the liberation struggle for Namibian independence and the SWAPO Party, which he joined at a tender age, are invaluable. In the early 1970s, comrade Mandema was detained for 21 days for his involvement in organising and facilitating the use of the Botswana Post Office to circumvent the scrutiny of postal communication from Namibia to various destinations, contributing positively to Namibia’s liberation struggle for independence,’’ Geingob noted recently on the Presidency’s social media platforms.
During this difficult time of bereavement, Geingob wished to extend, on behalf of the Namibian people, the Government of the Republic of Namibia, and his own behalf, heartfelt condolences to the widow, Elizabeth Shamuhembo, the children and the entire family.
“May the soul of comrade Gosbert Sikerete Mandema rest in eternal peace,’’ the President said. Caption: (Sikerete) The late struggle icon Gosbert Lyambai Mandema Sikerete (77), who has been conferred a state funeral by the President.
- jmuyamba@nepc.com.na