Go well, clergyman-cum-freedom fighter. Part of ELOC is gone. A soft-spoken clergyman has departed.
Born in Mupini in Kavango West on 14 April 1932, Asser Kazumba Lihongo rose from humble beginnings to become a respected clergyman and freedom fighter.
Having served as a dean for many years – from 1970 to 1997, with short intervals when the deanery was led by reverend Natanael Sirongo, reverend Lihongo was commonly known as Mupahukili which means dean in Rukwangali.
Mupahukili Lihongo attended elementary school at Mupini and boys’ school at Rupara.
He continued teacher training at Oniipa Teachers Seminary, which he completed in 1954. He enrolled for pastoral training at Engela in 1962 and Elim in 1963, after which the school was moved to Otjimbingwe, enrolling students from the two Lutheran churches from the Finnish mission, which was operating in the north and from the Rhenish mission, which was operating in the south.
Mupahukili Lihongo was ordained in 1965 as a pastor in the Evangelical Lutheran Owambo-Kavango Church (ELOC), later Evangelical Lutheran Church in Namibia (ELCIN), and placed at Mupini parish.
ELOC was among the churches that supported the cause for Namibia’s independence and, accordingly, many of its functionaries became involved in the liberation struggle.
It fell upon Mupahukili Lihongo’s shoulder as dean to be the mover and shaker.
He became involved in underground political activities, providing information and material support to members of the People’s Liberation Army of Namibia (Plan), Swapo’s military wing.
Like all other freedom fighters, Mupahukili Lihongo had to pay the price. PW Botha’s mischievous bully-boys would not spare him.
They cared less about him being a man of collar. He was arrested on four different occasions. In 1982, he w as rrested, and remained blindfolded for sevendays. Believeyoume, Koevoetbehaved like chickens on drugs, manhandling and humiliating people who were far older than their own parents. Shame! William Shakespeare once said, “Hell is empty, and all the devils are here!” Indeed, all the devils were in a pre-independent Namibia.
The colonial forces had no regard for holy places, and they would descend upon church premises to carry out atrocities like dancing devils. One day, the evil-spirited Koevoet arrived at ELCIN’s Kavango Deanery, and diabolically arrested Mupahukili Lihongo at his office.
His political activities had collateral damage for his family that following his third arrest in 1984, his wife, Elina, and daughter, Tuovi, were also arrested the following days. This did not deter the spirit of the man of the cloth. He had internalised the scripture in 2 Corinthians (4:8-9) that, “We are hard-pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed”. I grew up hearing about Mupahukili Lihongo, but it was only in 1985 that I came to know more about him when his biodata was published in Omukwetu, ELOC’s newsletter, which I have been a keen reader.
He was then vying for the position of assistant bishop, alongside reverend Matti Amadhila, who won the elections, and reverend Dr Tomas Shivute, who became bishop 16 years later. I finally saw Mupahukili Lihongo in 1988 at the 37th ordination of ELCIN pastors at Oniipa, where he addressed the congregation. I liked his composure and dignified presence. I later had an opportunity to become closer to Mupahukili Lihongo when I became a national leader.
During my official visits to the two Kavango regions, I regularly visited him at his house in Nakazaza, Kapako constituency. He wa a s good old man to be around and a fountain of wisdom.
He was a caring servant of the Lord, who will pick a phone and make calls to findout how people are doing and wish them blessings.
Mupahukili Lihongo was a shining star of ELOC and ELCIN, serving as a thread of connection between
Lutherans from the then Owambo and Kavango.
He transcended regionalism and tribalism, and he was the epitome of national unity.
Now, part of ELOC is gone!
Mupahukili Lihongo was also a politician, having served as a Member of the Central Committee of Swapo Party Elders Council in 1997 to 2002.
What is in a name?
In terms of etymology, Kazumba is a Rukwangali name, given to children who lose their mothers at birth.
Reverend Lihongo lost his mother when he was a baby. In terms of literal translation, it denotes the one who does not forsake. This was great man, who sheltered, cared for and assisted many people.
He did not abandon any flock that
he was herding.
Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy (Matthew 5:7).
Mupahukili Lihongo was called home on 10 June 2024.
Part of ELOC is gone!
Go well Mupahukili! Mukwetu genda nawa wahatjira!
*Dr Peya Mushelenga is Namibia’s Minister of International Relations and Cooperation.