Hundreds mourn Mzee

THERE was an outpouring of emotions as hundreds of mourners bid farewell to the late liberation war hero Simon Hafeni 'Mzee' Kaukungwa at the Heroes Acre in Windhoek yesterday.

President Hifikepunye Pohamba led the mourners who included the First Lady Penehupifo Pohamba, Prime Minister Hage Geingob, government officials, politicians and representatives of various traditional authorities.

Kaukungwa, who died on 1 September at Ongwediva MediClinic, was buried at the national shrine where other luminaries including Dimo Hamaambo, David Hosea Merero, Maxton Mutongolume, Reverend Marcus Kooper, Gertrud Kandanga, Fredrik Matongo and Andrew Anyanya Intamba were also laid to rest.

A memorial service in Kaukungwa's honour was held at the Parliament Gardens in Windhoek on Tuesday.

Pohamba said those who have performed outstanding deeds in the service for the country and its people rest at the Heroes' Acre.

He said Kaukungwa, like many others, takes up a revered place among the heroes and heroines of Namibia from different periods of the country's history.

“Namibia will remain forever grateful for their leadership and their bravery. We honour them for fearlessly resisting colonial occupation and apartheid oppression,” Pohamba said.

He said the nation will always honour the freedom fighters for not giving up the pursuit for a just cause of freedom and nationhood.

“The current and future generations will be inspired by their patriotism and their desire to make Namibia a better place to live in. While we mourn his passing, we also celebrate the extraordinary legacy that Kaukungwa leaves behind,” Pohamba said.

He said although Kaukungwa is no longer with us, he will live on in the memories and hearts of thousands of people he worked with and those who knew him.

Kaukungwa's nephew Bonny Haufiku, who read a message on behalf of the family, thanked the government for according his uncle a State funeral and said his uncle had done what he was supposed to have done and made his contribution to the cause. (The Namibian, Windhoek)