Peya Mushelenga
Death robbed us of a great man, who contributed immensely to humankind in Namibia. Dr Naftali Hamata, popularly known in family circles by his African name, Tuyoleni, was born into a peasant family of tatekulu Henok Hamata, a builder and subsistence farmer, and meekulu Saara Nhinda-Hamata, a housewife and subsistence farmer. Yet, he outgrew his humble beginnings, becoming the second Omuwambo to qualify as a medical doctor – after Dr Tomas Ihuhwa who grew up in Windhoek.
Tuyoleni attended primary school at Engela and secondary school at the prestigious Oshigambo High School. He continued studying at the University of Natal, where he completed the degree of Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBChB) in 1976. Because of his distaste for the colonial administration, he refused to work at state hospitals and settled for Onandjokwe Lutheran Hospital, owned by the Evangelical Lutheran Owambo-Kavango Church (ELOC), now the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Namibia (ELCIN). Tuyoleni could not imagine working alongside the Voster regime’s bad boys masquerading as caring doctors in state hospitals. Consequently, he forfeited benefits like housing loans and medical aid offered to doctors working in state hospitals by the disgraced administration of the Ovambo (Epangelo lyOwambo – EO).
Tuyoleni joined the then Ovambo People’s Organisation (OPO), the precursor to the South West Africa People’s Organisation (Swapo) at the age of 15 in 1959, following recruitment by Mzee Simon Kaukungwa. Serving in Onandjokwe enabled Tuyoleni to freely provide medical services to combatants of Swapo’s military wing, the People’s Liberation Army of Namibia (Plan). He joined the then superintendent Dr Tomas Ihuhwa in clandestinely, attending to wounded combatants and sending medical supplies to battlefields. The church hospital could conveniently provide medical supplies to freedom fighters since part of its depo was not supplied by the government – and there was, therefore, no stocktaking and watchful eyes by people denying others a right to self-determination and overwhelmed by arrogance and a sense of self-importance.
Tuyoleni’s undercover treatment of Plan combatants was discovered by the colonial government in 1980, and the inevitable happened. Your son of the soil was arrested and detained at the notorious Osire prison, where political prisoners were manhandled by the wicked police. He was tied to the ceiling, hanging upside down while beatings and tortures continued. The colonial police behaved in brutal manners, manifesting buffoonery and barbarism.
Upon release from Osire in the same year, Tuyoleni resolved to join the liberation movement in exile, but the church pleaded with him to stay put, as his void would leave the community in a dreadful situation. His love and sympathy for the people compelled him to heed the advice – what a thoughtful personality!
Tuyoleni resumed duties at Onandjokwe, later becoming the hospital superintendent. He was ordered to report to the police at Oshakati every Monday. The church intervened to stop that nonsense of wasting the time of a doctor and his patients. Together with his colleagues, drs Fillemon Amaambo, Ritva Kalliokoski and selected nurses, Tuyoleni continued to outmanoeuvre the colonial administration, working underground in providing medical services and supplies to Plan combatants.
Tuyoleni used his house at Onamishu village as a haven for freedom fighters. Together with his wife, Maria Amakali-Hamata, the first Omuwambo woman to graduate from a university, they generously provided money and food to further the cause of Namibia’s independence. One day, South Africa Defence Force (SADF) soldiers were heard approaching, and Plan combatants at Tuyoleni’s house immediately changed into overalls, posing as his labourers. In 1984, Tuyoleni left for South Africa to specialise as a gynaecologist and returned to Onandjokwe hospital upon completion and only moved to Oshakati State hospital after independence. In recognition of his valuable contribution to the liberation struggle, he was decorated with the liberation medal by President Nujoma in 2004.
Tuyoleni commanded respect in family circles, and elders would listen to him. At one time, elders in the family and teachers were very cross with some of Tuyoleni’s siblings and cousins for the offence that was common in schools those days – tormenting treatment of newcomers. The young learners faced expulsion from school, but Tuyoleni, then a medical student in South Africa on holiday, prevailed upon the elders and saved offenders from the wrath they were facing.
Tuyoleni remained respectful of and obedient to his parents. Whenever he had to travel out of the country for work, he drove from Oshakati to inform his father and receive his blessings. He could have chosen to just phone him, but he understood and adhered to the values and norms his parents taught him as a child. I admired his exemplary discipline.
At many of the family celebrations I attended, Tuyoleni’s siblings entrusted him to deliver a speech on their behalf. Despite the fact that he was the youngest of the boys in the family, he exuded authority and responsibility. He further ensured that order and discipline were maintained in the family. I vividly remember him at one family celebration when his younger sister, brigadier general Rauna Hamata, decided to gatecrash the proceedings as she rose to speak, albeit she was not on the programme and had no permission from the director of ceremonies. Take it from me, Tuyoleni spoke to her as a girl that he babysat, carried on his back and changed nappies. Yoh, yoh! Poor general at the receiving end of a civilian!
What is in a name? Naftali is a Hebrew name meaning struggling or wrestling. He wrestled with the colonial administration, fighting for independence. Tuyoleni denotes laughter, delight and happiness. Your son of the soil brought laughter and happiness to many. He embodied compassion and humanity. At his private practice, he provided free treatment to patients who had no means to pay. Many mothers with complicated pregnancies had their hopes restored and smiles put on their faces by the skilled gynaecologist. He provided counselling to heartbroken and despairing patients. Having completed his earthly mission, his Creator called him to eternity on 1 March 2023.
May his soul rest in eternal peace!
* Dr Peya Mushelenga is Namibia's Minister of Information and Communication Technology.