Hamutenya’s death a big blow – Irimari

The death of Jacob ‘Omulaule’ Hamutenya (36), a well-known youth activist and agriculturalist, has been described as a huge loss to Namibia by Oshana regional governor, Elia Irimari. Hamutenya, who was the regional manager for the Agro Marketing and Trade Agency (Amta) for the northern regions, based in Ongwediva, died in a car accident on Sunday along with two passengers, Abner Kambindji and Ndateelela Shilongo, on the B1 road between Otjiwarongo and Otavi. Out of the four occupants, only the driver survived.Irimari expressed profound sorrow, stating that Hamutenya’s absence will be felt “everlastingly”. Social media has since been abuzz with condolence messages expressing shock and disbelief at his sudden passing. Irimari emphasised that the loss of Hamutenya is particularly painful, noting that he was a dedicated leader who played a significant role in uplifting the nation, especially through his contributions to agriculture. “We have lost a good leader. Jacob was always at your service, offering advice on how to improve agriculture in the country,” Irimari said. He also highlighted Hamutenya's unmatched patriotism and his humble nature, describing him as someone who could connect with people from all walks of life.Hamutenya's vision for agriculture in Oshana included innovative programs to produce animal fodder despite challenges posed by prolonged droughts. Irimari praised his openness to ideas, saying that Hamutenya would never dismiss anyone’s suggestions for improvement.At the Amta hub in Ongwediva, Hamutenya’s colleagues struggled to come to terms with the news of his death. Ndilimeke Heita, a cleaner, described him as a generous and kind-hearted leader who had a strong rapport with everyone. In a similar vein, Elia Ndakolonghoshi, a forklift operator, recalled how Hamutenya always treated his colleagues with respect, regardless of their positions.Hamutenya also served as a police reservist in the Oshana Region. Commissioner Naftal Lungameni Sakaria, the regional police head, expressed shock at the news, remembering Hamutenya as a passionate and hands-on individual. He recounted how Hamutenya, despite the absence of a uniform, was eager to serve alongside the police. His dedication extended to acts of kindness, such as providing fruits to officers on duty at a roadblock near Amta’s offices.The impact of Hamutenya’s death resonated beyond his professional contributions. Affirmative Repositioning leader, Job Amupanda, described him as the “glue” that held many people together, praising his ability to connect with diverse groups. Amupanda portrayed him as a free spirit committed to youth development and the economic freedom of Namibia. The Namibian Opportunities platform also paid tribute to Hamutenya, acknowledging his efforts to empower young people and create opportunities for their personal and professional growth. Hilma Moses, the founder of the platform, stated that Hamutenya’s contributions were instrumental in its growth and that his legacy would continue to inspire Namibian youth.Hamutenya’s extensive list of leadership roles included being a board member of the Namibia Agronomic Board (NAB), the National Youth Service (NYS), and chairperson of the Namibia Training Authority’s (NTA) Agriculture and Forestry Industry Skills Committee. He was also an alumnus of the Mandela Washington Fellowship and held an MBA in Natural Resources Management from the Namibia Business School (NBS), along with a BSc in Agriculture (Hons) in Food Science Technology from the University of Namibia, among other credentials. - tuyeimo@nmh-hub.com.na

Hamutenya’s death a big blow – Irimari

Comments

Namibian Sun 2025-03-04

Please login to leave a comment

Hamutenya’s death a big blow – Irimari

Comments

Namibian Sun 2025-03-04

Please login to leave a comment

Login