WINDHOEK – The ruling Swapo Party yesterday lost another high-ranking member when the constituency councillor for Windhoek West, Shikwetepo Haindongo, passed away.
Haindongo, 61, died in the early hours of yesterday morning in Medi-Park Hospital in Ongwediva after a short illness.
Haindongo served as chief regional officer in Khomas from 2004-2008.
Haindongo who hailed from Ombandja in the Omusati Region was born in Nkurenkuru in the Kavango Region and is survived by four children, three of them male and one female.
He served on the Regional Council Management Committee until his death.
Swapo Party Youth League Secretary Dr Elijah Ngurare said he was shocked to hear about Haindongo’s demise.
“He has been with us as a councillor and a mentor to the youth league. This is truly a great loss,” said Ngurare.
Ngurare described Haindongo as a man who worked tirelessly since becoming the Windhoek West Constituency councillor.
“We were even expecting him to attend the closing ceremony of the Swapo Pioneers conference which ended on Sunday,” said the youth league leader.
Khomas Regional Council Chairperson, Zulu Shitongeni, described Haindongo as a dedicated leader who left a big gap in the political landscape of the country.
“He contributed immensely to Namibia’s liberation struggle since 1974, when he became a PLAN combatant,” said Shitongeni.
Haindongo is the third Swapo regional councillor to die since May following the death of Ohangwena Constituency councillor, Maria Kombwana, in May and Swapo MP in the National Council, Ruth Nhinda, earlier this month.