The media fraternity, family and friends gathered on Wednesday in Windhoek to celebrate the life of acclaimed New Era editor Chrispin Inambao who died on 3 December after battling cancer. He was 50. 
Tributes made in his name during a memorial service increasingly focused on celebrating the life he led and the legacy he left behind. 

His former colleagues described him as a colourful writer and a journalist who never compromised on his beliefs and journalism ethics. 
New Era Publication Corporation CEO Christof Maletsky said Inambao dedicated 16 years of his life to the company and had been coming to work despite going through extreme pain. “At some stage, as colleagues, we wondered how he was able to cope. 

Yet, Chris would always say that he was employed to work for the corporation, and it was his duty to give his best. 
We are with the family in the difficult period that they are going through. May his soul rest in peace,” he said. 
Inambao’s former colleague at the Namibia Press Agency (Nampa) Isack Hamata also described the late as a dedicated and straightforward person who was very passionate about his work. 

“That is one thing that stood out for me about him. His sense of commitment was beyond comparison. 
If we knew we could have written the inspiration skills of Chrispin so that we will pass it on to the current journalists,” said Hamata. 

The Namibian newspaper editor-in-chief Tangeni Amupadhi said Inambao was a gifted writer and a collaborator. Chinese embassy spokesperson Lu Hairong said they were saddened by the loss of a close friend and a comrade. 
“We are honoured and blessed to have known our beloved and respected Inambao. In my memory, he was an amiable father of his sons, outstanding, faithful and hardworking media person, with strong responsibility to pursue fair and objective press freedom. 

He valued China-Namibia traditional friendship and had made an important contribution to the bilateral relations,” she said. 
“His passing is a pain for the New Era newspaper as well as the Namibian media and a great loss to both the Namibian people and of course to the China-Namibia friendship. The Namibian press has lost a pillar of brilliant person, and we have lost a close and sincere friend,” said Hairong. 

There were also tributes from the International University of Management (IUM) founder Dr David Namwandi, Frans Nghitila of the ministry of information as well as from friends and family. 
Inambao will be laid to rest at Mugwala village at Bukalo tomorrow. 
He is survived by his four children and seven siblings.
- ljason@nepc.com.na