EENHANA – Liberation struggle icon, diplomat and former parliamentarian Hadino Hishongwa was buried at Eenhana Memorial Shrine over the weekend.
Hishongwa (80) died on 31 August at Ongwediva MediPark.
Glowing tributes preceded his burial service, with speaker after speaker eulogising him as a humble and caring man.
‘Brave’ and ‘selfless’ were a commonality among speakers as some of the words to describe the departed Hishongwa.
The chief mourner, President Hage Geingob met Hishongwa in 1964.
Geingob’s speech was read on his behalf by Prime Minister Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila.
Geingob said that Hishongwa was a true son of the Namibian soil and a foundation stone of the Namibian House in which all Namibians live in peace, harmony, equality, and prosperity.
Geingob added that Namibians will forever salute his bravery, commitment, and patriotism.
“Let us, therefore, leave this memorial filled with the spirit of inspiration so that when our own day of departure arrives, people will be able to eulogize us as brave, committed, and patriotic Namibians who dedicated our prime years to the advancement of our people and the nation,” Geingob said. Former President Hifikepunye Pohamba, a cousin of the late Hishongwa, highlighted his dedication to seeing a free Namibia.
“I knew this brother of mine when we were young. I am a little bit older than him. His early life was shaped and influenced by the political situation of the 1960s. He grew up under colonial oppression and was denied the basic human rights and freedoms by the South African apartheid regime, and he made the decision to go into exile in 1964,” Pohamba reminisced.
Official opposition leader in the National Assembly, McHenry Venaani, also spoke heartily of Hishongwa.
“His professional portfolios are indicative of his versatility, adaptability, and, above all, the depth of his expertise,” Venaani said.
Meanwhile, Swapo secretary general Sophia Shaningwa said Hishongwa will be remembered for his omnipotent wisdom and unifying acumen.
The late Hishongwa served the Swapo party before and after independence in various capacities. After going into exile in 1964, Shaningwa said, Hishongwa was sent by Swapo to study at the University of Dar es Salaam, majoring in political
science and economics.
He was subsequently appointed as Swapo’s chief representative in East Africa.
He was later re-deployed to West Africa in the same portfolio.
According to Shaningwa, Hishongwa was responsible for mobilising resources for Swapo at an international platform, the mobilisation of Namibians in the diaspora in his area of deployment and lobbying for international support for Swapo, a task he carried out diligently.
Speaking on behalf of the children, Helao Hishongwa said they lost a caring and lovely father.
“Our father has inspired us so much. He always motivated us to study hard and never give up on schoolwork. We thank our father for everything he has done for us,” Helao said. Hishongwa is survived by his wife Ester and nine children.
He served as a member of Parliament in the National Assembly from 1990 to 2005. During this stint, he served as the minister of youth and sport as well as the deputy minister of labour and human resources development. The veteran politician was also dispatched to Botswana as ambassador, and after retirement, became a senior headman of the Omhedi District within the Oukwanyama Traditional Authority, until his death.
- fhamalwa@nepc.com.na