Amupolo venerated at service
Remembered for his life-long commitment to Namibia's freedom and later, its national army, Erasmus Amupolo was laid to rest this weekend.
Thousands of mourners from across the country and abroad attended the funeral of former Namibian Defence Force retired brigadier-general, Erasmus Kayambu Amupolo, who was laid to rest over the weekend.
Amupolo, 63, died in a car accident on 3 August in Omaheke Region. He was buried at Oshuungu village in Elim constituency in Omusati Region. According to the chief of intelligence services, Philemon Malima, the accident that claimed Amupolo's life was caused by “a Boer who is a former enemy of Namibia.”
Malima who was the most senior government official at the funeral told mourners that Amupolo defeated the Boers during the struggle, but they had taken his life in a car accident.
“It is unfortunate that Amupolo's life has been taken by a former enemy of this country. It is a Boer who caused the accident that claimed his life. I do not know whether this Boer was notified that the retired army general was heading in that direction,” Malima told mourners.
Amupolo and five others died instantly following a head on collision on a gravel road between Dordabis and Leonardville. President Hage Geingob last week accorded him an official funeral.
According to his eulogy, read by another retired brigadier-general Holden Uulenga, Amupolo was born in Oshuungu village near Elim in 1954. He started his primary education at Elim and continued at Ongwediva. In 1972, he started working for the South Africa government administration in the finance department in Ondangwa. In 1974 he went into exile via Angola.
In exile he received military training from several countries including infantry and anti-aircraft training from Cassamba in Angola, anti-aircraft battery commander and motorised infantry tactic commander from the former Soviet Union, brigade commander from India, peace support operations from Egypt, command and staff duties and executive national security programmes from South Africa, and multi-national peace support training in France.
He joined the People's Liberation Army of Namibia (Plan) as an infantry member and later became a platoon and battery commander, before he became chief of air defence for the northern rront. In 1983, he established the northwestern front to which he was appointed chief of staff under commander Erastus Negonga. During the 1989 election campaign, he was an armament keeper.
After independence, Amupolo served in various ranks and portfolios in the NDF which he joined in 1990. He started as a commanding officer for the 262 Battalion as lieutenant colonel. He later became the deputy commandant at the military school and he was promoted to colonel. He was again elevated to brigadier-general and he commanded the 12th and 26th Brigades before retiring in 2014.
Retired lieutenant-general Martin Shali read messages of condolences from the two former presidents and former NDF commanders-in-chief under which Amupolo served. They all described him as a dedicated soldier who fought for the country fearlessly and served it outstandingly.
“Amupolo will always be remembered as a pioneer of Plan, as a founding member and a commander. He served in various ranks during the liberation struggle and he also fought many battles. After independence, he served the country outstandingly and he retired a decorated soldier,” Hifikepunye Pohamba's message described Amupolo.
Founding president Sam Nujoma described Amupolo as a product of the liberation struggle who together with others brought Namibia independence.
“It is sad that a man who survived many battles during the liberation struggle dies in a tragic car accident. Carnage on our national roads are robbing the country of great citizens,” Nujoma's message read.
The governor for Omusati Region, Erginus Endjala read message of condolences from President Hage Geingob saying, “He dedicated his life toward pursuing the independence of the country and is among people to be honored during Heroes Day to be commemorated this month. His leadership and military skills prospered after independence. In 1997 he also served in a national duty in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The country has lost a great man,” Geingob said.
Amupolo is survived by his mother Rauna Nampila, his wife Jutty, 12 children and 15 siblings.
ILENI NANDJATO
Amupolo, 63, died in a car accident on 3 August in Omaheke Region. He was buried at Oshuungu village in Elim constituency in Omusati Region. According to the chief of intelligence services, Philemon Malima, the accident that claimed Amupolo's life was caused by “a Boer who is a former enemy of Namibia.”
Malima who was the most senior government official at the funeral told mourners that Amupolo defeated the Boers during the struggle, but they had taken his life in a car accident.
“It is unfortunate that Amupolo's life has been taken by a former enemy of this country. It is a Boer who caused the accident that claimed his life. I do not know whether this Boer was notified that the retired army general was heading in that direction,” Malima told mourners.
Amupolo and five others died instantly following a head on collision on a gravel road between Dordabis and Leonardville. President Hage Geingob last week accorded him an official funeral.
According to his eulogy, read by another retired brigadier-general Holden Uulenga, Amupolo was born in Oshuungu village near Elim in 1954. He started his primary education at Elim and continued at Ongwediva. In 1972, he started working for the South Africa government administration in the finance department in Ondangwa. In 1974 he went into exile via Angola.
In exile he received military training from several countries including infantry and anti-aircraft training from Cassamba in Angola, anti-aircraft battery commander and motorised infantry tactic commander from the former Soviet Union, brigade commander from India, peace support operations from Egypt, command and staff duties and executive national security programmes from South Africa, and multi-national peace support training in France.
He joined the People's Liberation Army of Namibia (Plan) as an infantry member and later became a platoon and battery commander, before he became chief of air defence for the northern rront. In 1983, he established the northwestern front to which he was appointed chief of staff under commander Erastus Negonga. During the 1989 election campaign, he was an armament keeper.
After independence, Amupolo served in various ranks and portfolios in the NDF which he joined in 1990. He started as a commanding officer for the 262 Battalion as lieutenant colonel. He later became the deputy commandant at the military school and he was promoted to colonel. He was again elevated to brigadier-general and he commanded the 12th and 26th Brigades before retiring in 2014.
Retired lieutenant-general Martin Shali read messages of condolences from the two former presidents and former NDF commanders-in-chief under which Amupolo served. They all described him as a dedicated soldier who fought for the country fearlessly and served it outstandingly.
“Amupolo will always be remembered as a pioneer of Plan, as a founding member and a commander. He served in various ranks during the liberation struggle and he also fought many battles. After independence, he served the country outstandingly and he retired a decorated soldier,” Hifikepunye Pohamba's message described Amupolo.
Founding president Sam Nujoma described Amupolo as a product of the liberation struggle who together with others brought Namibia independence.
“It is sad that a man who survived many battles during the liberation struggle dies in a tragic car accident. Carnage on our national roads are robbing the country of great citizens,” Nujoma's message read.
The governor for Omusati Region, Erginus Endjala read message of condolences from President Hage Geingob saying, “He dedicated his life toward pursuing the independence of the country and is among people to be honored during Heroes Day to be commemorated this month. His leadership and military skills prospered after independence. In 1997 he also served in a national duty in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The country has lost a great man,” Geingob said.
Amupolo is survived by his mother Rauna Nampila, his wife Jutty, 12 children and 15 siblings.
ILENI NANDJATO
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