Tsumeb
One of the stall owners at the Omatara open market in Tsumeb that burned down last Tuesday died from a stroke after losing all his goods in the fire.
He had suffered a stroke shortly after the blaze and was being treated in the Oshakati Intermediate Hospital where he died. His stall and goods burnt to ashes.
He was identified as Isak Kambonde from Eheke village in the Oshana Region. He is survived by his wife and three children.
The deceased had just recently bought new appliances and groceries for his small business.
The cause of the fire, which destroyed 93 of the 103 stalls at the open market, is still unknown. Speculation is that it was caused by an electrical fault.
According to onlookers, Kambonde had tried to salvage some of his goods but it was too late as by then his stall had completely burned down.
Speaking on behalf of the family, Ester Kambonde described his death as a big loss.
“He was the only one assisting the family and I don’t know how we will survive without him, especially the kids. He was hard working and could solve all problems the family had irrespective of how far away he was, it is really a big loss,” said Kambonde.
The burial will take place on Saturday at Eheke village.
Tsumeb Constituency Councillor Lebbius Tobias said “the deceased upon realising that there was nothing he could do returned home but collapsed along the way before reaching home. Luckily one of the residents found and took him to hospital. However, upon arrival at the Tsumeb State Hospital the left side of his body was completely paralysed.”
He added that after a few days he was transferred to Oshakati hospital where he died.
“His situation never looked that bad and there was hope for recovery. We never thought he would leave us so soon, because his condition never seemed to be that serious,” said Tobias, before heading to Oshana Region to express his condolences to the bereaved family and to deliver food to them.
Close to 100 business associates of the deceased gathered at the market on Tuesday to pay their tributes and discuss ways to assist the grief-stricken family, as well as strategies to revive their lost businesses.