Mbumba leads Pohamba’s 89th birthday tributes

Former president Hifikepunye Pohamba turned 89 yesterday, with President Nangolo Mbumba leading tributes and good wishes for the veteran erstwhile leader. "It is my distinct honour, on behalf of the government and people of the Republic of Namibia, to extend our best wishes and sincere congratulations, on the occasion of Your Excellency’s 89th birthday. Comrade President, your heroic exploits in pursuit of the liberation of Namibia and her people are etched in the fabric of our democracy. Indeed, the path you have walked and your revolutionary footprints remain a great source of inspiration to the majority of Namibians,” Mbumba said.

Pohamba was born on 18 August 1935 at Okanghudi, in Ohangwena Region. He completed his primary school education at the Anglican Holy Cross Mission school in Onamunhama and, in 1956, took up work at the Tsumeb mine. He fled into exile in 1961, travelling to Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, where he met Sam Nujoma for the first time. After serving in various ministerial positions, he became Namibia’s president in 2005 and served until 2015. - STAFF REPORTER