BERSEBA – Willem Isaacks the deputy mines and energy minister who died on October 08 was interred on Saturday at Berseba.
Isaacks succumbed to internal injuries he sustained in a motor vehicle accident.
Several hundred mourners valiantly bore the searing late morning heat to attend the state funeral at the largely arid and barren settlement of Berseba, located in the hinterland some 140 km from Keetmanshoop.
A sombre-looking President Hifikepuye Pohamba, attired in a dark suit led hundreds of grief-stricken mourners who included the First Lady Penehupifo Pohamba, the Deputy Prime Minister Marco Hausiku, the Chairperson of the National Council Asser Kapere, the Minister of Lands and Resettlement, Alpheus !Naruseb, the Minister of Agriculture, Water and Forestry, John Mutorwa, and the newly widowed Lidia Fredrieka Isaacks who was inconsolable.
Others at the funeral were the Chief of the Defence Force Liuetenant General John Mutwa, the Minister of Mines and Energy Isaac Katali, the Deputy Chairperson of the National Council Magreth Mensah-Williams and //Karas Regional Governor, Clinton Swartbooi, among others.
Pohamba was flown to the rural settlement – whose folks engage in small-scale farming – in a presidential jet that took off from Keetmanshoop.
He told the grieving family and other mourners at the graveyard: “That road accident robbed our nation of a young, dynamic and promising leader.
“The passing on of Comrade Isaacks has touched us all: the widow, the children, the family, his colleagues in the Ministry of Mines and Energy, the Swapo Party and the community of Berseba. His youthful energy will be missed by those who worked with him and those who knew him.”
“As we lay him to rest here this morning we, once again, offer our sympathy and consolation to the widow, the children and the bereaved family as a whole. We wish you strength and courage to go on as you start a new chapter in your lives without your beloved husband, father, brother, uncle and grandfather,” stated Pohamba.
In the memorial message he read earlier on Friday at Berseba, Pohamba told mourners: “Comrade Isaacks was taken away from us much too soon. Today, the nation mourns the shocking loss of this dedicated public servant. At the same time, we recall with gratitude, pride and fond memories, the good work that Comrade Isaacks has done in serving our country in different capacities.
“I hope that the sympathies and condolences conveyed to this family and this community from different parts of the country and indeed other parts of the world, will serve as a source of strength and consolation as the family deals with this terrible and difficult loss.”
In the message of Nangolo Mbumba the Swapo secretary general and conveyed by !Naruseb the Minister of Lands and Resettlement at the memorial, he said: “It is with profound regret and heartfelt sorrow that the Swapo Party national headquarters learned of the most untimely and unexpected passing on of Honourable Comrade Isaacks on the 8th of October 2014.
“Exactly 15 nights ago, 40 km north of Keetmanshoop, the car overturned injuring a promising young leader and Deputy Minister of Mines and Energy, who in the end succumbed to internal injuries,” stated Nangolo.
The Swapo secretary general noted the passing of Isaacks came as a double blow for his family that barely a month ago had just buried his younger brother. “The Berseba community has lost a son, a brother and a husband – the //Karas Region and the entire nation at large has lost a promising and a dynamic national leader,” said Mbumba.
“Affectionately known as ‘Press’ by his friends, Comrade Isaacks was affable and regarded both the young and old as a friend and comrade. His soul may have departed the earth, but his undying spirit to work hard for the betterment of his fellow citizens still lingers with us as we march towards economic development – through mining and the harnessing of renewable energy resources for which he stood,” he said.
“The Swapo Party is mourning, the nation is mourning. We share your pain, we share your grief, in this difficult moment. The late Comrade Willem Isaacks was a valued and respected member of the Swapo Party,” stated Mbumba.
The South African High Commission in Windhoek also conveyed a condolence message to the fanily of Isaacks and to the Namibian government.
“Honourable Willem Isaacs will surely be missed in ou region, but his contribution in addressing issues of our mineral resources and energy needs will remain with us,” stated the High Commission.
The military brass band played a solemn tune and NDF guns boomed as Isaacks was buried.