Allexer Namundjembo and Stefanus Nashama
The Ministry of Defence and Veterans Affairs has announced its preparedness to conduct the funeral proceedings for the late Founding President, Sam Nujoma, without seeking assistance from neighbouring countries.
Defence minister, Frans Kapofi said this with reference to the funeral last year of President Hage Geingob during an interview with One Africa TV on Monday.
“We don’t foresee making the same request as last year with regard to seeking assistance from neighbouring countries. I think we should be able to do it within the means we have. We will not approach people to help us again this year,” Kapofi said.
Last year, during President Geingob’s funeral the country received assistance from neighbouring countries due to a lack of prior experience with state funerals for sitting or former heads of state.
At the time Zambia, for instance, provided technical assistance and personnel, while Angola and Botswana contributed vehicles, aircraft, and other logistical support.
In the meantime, the Namibian government has announced that state memorial services will be held in selected regions to allow the public to pay their last respects before the state funeral.
Former minister and vice chair of the Sam Nujoma Foundation, Pendukeni Iivula-Ithana, has stated that there is no division within the Swapo party regarding the burial of the founding president.
Iivula-Ithana stated that the decision on where Nujoma will be laid to rest rests solely with his family.
“There has been no official debate within Swapo about where the founding president will be buried. The only discussions I have heard are from individuals,” Iivula-Ithana said.
She emphasised that despite Nujoma’s significant contributions to the country’s liberation and development, it is his family’s decision that determines where his final resting place will be.
Sources within Swapo have indicated that there was some internal debate, with conflicting views on whether Nujoma should be buried at his farm or Heroes’ Acre.
Iivula-Ithana reaffirmed the importance of family protocol in such matters.
“Although Sam Nujoma belongs to all of us, his family’s wishes come first, even above that of Swapo,” she said.
Swapo’s deputy secretary general, Uahekua Herunga weighed in on the matter, stating that Nujoma, given his immense contribution to Namibia’s liberation, deserves to be buried at Heroes’ Acre.
“Who else deserves it more than him?” Herunga asked.
He also dismissed reports of division within Swapo over the burial site, claiming that some individuals were taking opinions from the streets too seriously.
Nujoma will be laid to rest on 1 March at Heroes’ Acre in Windhoek.
