An emotional send-off as northerners bid farewell to Nujoma
A respected leader
With memorials and processions underway across the country, Namibians are gathering in their thousands to bid a final farewell.
The air was thick with emotions as the crowd sang liberation songs while waiting for the plane carrying the remains of late president Sam Nujoma to land at Andimba Toivo yaToivo Airport in Ondangwa last Thursday.
Nujoma’s first regional memorial was scheduled to take place at his place of birth at Etunda village in the Okahao constituency, Omusati Region.
But first, a procession of vehicles was scheduled to make its way from the airport in Ondangwa to Ongwediva, through Oshakati and then to Etunda.
Many in the crowd were proudly clad in their Swapo attire. Others came dressed in t-shirts bearing the face of Nujoma. Young and old – men, women and children – lined up along the airport road. Many woke up as early as 05:00 to arrive on time.
At exactly 12:53, the plane landed at Andimba Toivo yaToivo Airport, and the journey to Etunda could begin.
Mixed emotions permeate the crowd. Some were in a happy mood – celebrating Nujoma’s life. One could feel it in the songs of joy they sang. Their dances heighten the spirit of those “whose blood waters our freedom”.
“We love you, son of the soil” a poster read that was held high by a learner standing among the crowed just outside of Oshakati.
Others carried large portraits of Nujoma carrying a gun, a symbol of the man who embodied the words spoken by Oshana governor Elia Irimari on Thursday: “Namibians led by Nujoma held hands and broke the shackles of physical, political and economic enslavement collectively, opening the doors to our freedom and a future of possibilities."
Irimari reminded every Namibian to partake in the activities honouring Nujoma’s legacy, to pause and reflect on the “heroic” efforts of “our brave sons and daughters”.
The messages were clear, echoed by those who stood along the roads in Oshana, Omusati, Ohangwena and Oshikoto regions to pay their last respects to Nujoma.
Nujoma cannot be buried
On Thursday, retired Elcin pastor Reverend Tsapaka Tsha Kapolo told those gathered at Etunda later that day that Nujoma would not be buried but rather hidden.
Kapolo explained that in the Oshiwambo language, a more appropriate term describes this saying – okuholeka (to hide).
Kapolo also urged Swapo secretary general Sophia Shaningwa to erect a statue of Nujoma at his birthplace, Etunda, in honour of his legacy. Shaningwa, who was also in attendance, nodded in agreement.
Namibians pay their respects
Shangeshawana Hiwilepo stood at Omuumbu location waiting for Nujoma's procession to pass by.
Hiwilepo said she had come from far – and had come for a second day in a row to witness the procession carrying Nujoma's casket in a glass hearse.
She said on Thursday, when the procession moved from Ondangwa to Etunda, it was too fast, so she decided to try her luck again as it travelled from Oshikuku through Oshakati to Omungwelume Road.
“Nujoma fought for us, and he deserves all the honour. I need to give my last respect to my president. Go well, the father of our nation. Till we meet again. Aluta continua,” she said.
The procession continued to Eenhana, where the Ohangwena Region’s memorial service was held at Eenhana Sport Stadium. On Saturday morning, Nujoma's remains departed for Rundu, where the next memorial was scheduled.
On Sunday, a memorial service was held in his honour at Katima Mulilo, followed by another on Monday in Grootfontein.
People wishing to pay their final respects to Nujoma are encouraged to stand along the road as the military vehicle carrying Nujoma's remains passes through their towns.
Nujoma’s first regional memorial was scheduled to take place at his place of birth at Etunda village in the Okahao constituency, Omusati Region.
But first, a procession of vehicles was scheduled to make its way from the airport in Ondangwa to Ongwediva, through Oshakati and then to Etunda.
Many in the crowd were proudly clad in their Swapo attire. Others came dressed in t-shirts bearing the face of Nujoma. Young and old – men, women and children – lined up along the airport road. Many woke up as early as 05:00 to arrive on time.
At exactly 12:53, the plane landed at Andimba Toivo yaToivo Airport, and the journey to Etunda could begin.
Mixed emotions permeate the crowd. Some were in a happy mood – celebrating Nujoma’s life. One could feel it in the songs of joy they sang. Their dances heighten the spirit of those “whose blood waters our freedom”.
“We love you, son of the soil” a poster read that was held high by a learner standing among the crowed just outside of Oshakati.
Others carried large portraits of Nujoma carrying a gun, a symbol of the man who embodied the words spoken by Oshana governor Elia Irimari on Thursday: “Namibians led by Nujoma held hands and broke the shackles of physical, political and economic enslavement collectively, opening the doors to our freedom and a future of possibilities."
Irimari reminded every Namibian to partake in the activities honouring Nujoma’s legacy, to pause and reflect on the “heroic” efforts of “our brave sons and daughters”.
The messages were clear, echoed by those who stood along the roads in Oshana, Omusati, Ohangwena and Oshikoto regions to pay their last respects to Nujoma.
Nujoma cannot be buried
On Thursday, retired Elcin pastor Reverend Tsapaka Tsha Kapolo told those gathered at Etunda later that day that Nujoma would not be buried but rather hidden.
Kapolo explained that in the Oshiwambo language, a more appropriate term describes this saying – okuholeka (to hide).
Kapolo also urged Swapo secretary general Sophia Shaningwa to erect a statue of Nujoma at his birthplace, Etunda, in honour of his legacy. Shaningwa, who was also in attendance, nodded in agreement.
Namibians pay their respects
Shangeshawana Hiwilepo stood at Omuumbu location waiting for Nujoma's procession to pass by.
Hiwilepo said she had come from far – and had come for a second day in a row to witness the procession carrying Nujoma's casket in a glass hearse.
She said on Thursday, when the procession moved from Ondangwa to Etunda, it was too fast, so she decided to try her luck again as it travelled from Oshikuku through Oshakati to Omungwelume Road.
“Nujoma fought for us, and he deserves all the honour. I need to give my last respect to my president. Go well, the father of our nation. Till we meet again. Aluta continua,” she said.
The procession continued to Eenhana, where the Ohangwena Region’s memorial service was held at Eenhana Sport Stadium. On Saturday morning, Nujoma's remains departed for Rundu, where the next memorial was scheduled.
On Sunday, a memorial service was held in his honour at Katima Mulilo, followed by another on Monday in Grootfontein.
People wishing to pay their final respects to Nujoma are encouraged to stand along the road as the military vehicle carrying Nujoma's remains passes through their towns.
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