Ester MbatheraÂ
The body of founding president Sam Nujoma will arrive in Windhoek on Thursday after a series of regional memorial services held across the country.
The arrival marked the final leg of a nationwide memorial tour that allowed the public to pay their respects to the late leader.
These services took place in Etunda, Eenhana, Rundu, Katima Mulilo, Grootfontein, Walvis Bay, and Keetmanshoop.
Nujoma’s body will arrive at Hosea Kutako International Airport (HKIA) from Keetmanshoop.
A street procession will follow the arrival, starting at HKIA and moving through designated routes in Windhoek.
The procession will start at 8h30, passing through key streets including Sam Nujoma Drive, Mandume Ndemufayo Road, David Hosea Meroro Road, Hendrik Witbooi Drive, Moses ||Garoeb Street, Winnie Madikizela Mandela Road, Independence Avenue, and Robert Mugabe Drive.
The procession will conclude at Parliament Gardens, where the body will lie in state from 16h30 until 11h30 on Friday.
The public is invited to view the body and pay their last respects during this time.
The government and law enforcement agencies have requested motorists to exercise patience and avoid interfering with the procession.
The minister of information and communication technology, Emma Theofelus, encouraged the public to wave or salute as the procession passes but to refrain from obstructing the route.
The body will be moved from Parliament Gardens to the stadium at 11h30.
An official memorial service will be held at Independence Stadium on Friday. The service is set to start at 13h45.
The service will be attended by dignitaries from various countries, including Angola, South Africa, Zimbabwe, Ghana, Mozambique, Malawi, Tanzania, Finland, Cuba, and the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic.
The state burial is scheduled for Saturday at Heroes’ Acre.
The procession will depart from Independence Stadium at 09:15, travelling through Rugby Street, SoftBall Street, Wika Street, Sean McBride Street, Frankie Fredericks Street, and Hosea Kutako Drive before reaching Heroes’ Acre.
The government has urged the public to cooperate and attend the ceremonies early to ensure smooth operations.
Transportation arrangements have been made for residents of the Khomas Region, with pick-up points to be announced soon.
The Ministry of Education, Arts and Culture has announced that all public and private schools will be closed on Friday, to allow parents to accompany their children for the Windhoek-based memorial service of the Founding President.
Nujoma, who led Namibia to independence in 1990 and served as its first president, passed away on 8 February at the age of 95.
