ONGWEDIVA – The late Bishop-elect of the Elcin eastern diocese, Martin Ngodji, has been eulogised as a humble man, a people’s person and above all a man who had translations of the Bible at heart.
His colleagues described the church leader and academic as a man who personified peace.
The 61-year-old Ngodji died last week in a northern hospital from Covid-19-related complications.
In his condolence message, the outgoing bishop of the eastern diocese, Shekutaamba Nambala wished Elcin members, immediate family and friends of the late Ngodji strength.
Ngodji was elected during a synod in August as bishop for the eastern diocese.
His installation was scheduled for 14 November this year.
Elcin secretary general Alpo Enkono described the veteran clergyman as a peaceful man and unifier who executed his tasks diligently and timeously.
“Ngodji was giving, Ngodji was welcoming, and everyone was welcome at his house.
The peace that Ngodji had is compared to none and it is that same peace that the synod saw it befitting to elect him to be the next bishop,” Enkono remembered.
Enkono said Ngodji was unique.
“He was a no-conflict man, hardworking and he executed all his tasks diligently in a short space of time, that is the Ngodji we knew,” Enkono said further.
Ngodji’s 2004 thesis for the Master of Theology degree was titled, ‘The story of the Bible among Ovakwanyama: the agency of indigenous translators’.
His 2010, PhD dissertation was on ‘The applicability of the translatability and interpretation theory of Sanneh and Bediako: the case of Elcin in Northern Namibia’.
Anglican pastor Tarah Shalyefu, who worked as a reviewer at the Bible Society of Namibia, which was headed by Ngodji, said the late reverend has a special and unique character.
“The one thing I liked about him is that he was humble, a people’s person. He would not intentionally hurt the feelings of the next person,” said Shalyefu.
He said it is no surprise that Ngodji was elected bishop, because he is easy to work with and soft spoken.
Ngodji was ordained as a pastor on 8 June 1986.
He said Ngodji worked in different portfolios within the church and just recently was a Bible translator at the Bible Society of Namibia.
Nafine dies
Meanwhile, Nambala also announced the death of retired pastor Fillipus Nafine who passed away on Thursday.
Nafine served the Elcin church between 1958 and 2007.
Ngodji will be laid to rest at Okongo on Saturday.