Eulogy: Hawala on his life of struggle, sacrifice and service

Solomon Hawala, Windhoek, 26 July 2025

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My name is Hangula Dumeni Solomon ya Dumeni Mateus ya Hawala, born on 19 August 1935 at Efidilomulunga near Ongwediva in what is today the Oshana region, northern Namibia.

Before anyone asks where I got the name Jesus from, let me explain: In Lusaka Kanyama township we shared a room with Jesaya Nyamu and Nestory Iyambo. One night I jumped up and screamed out of nowhere: “Ooh Jesus gwandje!” 

The two, being characters, began calling me Jesus. At first I was annoyed, but over time the name stuck. I did not choose it, nor does it form part of my official name.

My parents are Dumeni Mateus Hawala, originally from the Handa, Quipungu and Ombadja tribes of southern Angola, and Monica Kaapanda from the Uukwambi tribe, with origins from Onghumbi (Angola) and Ongandjera, in the Omusati region.

Ten children were born, six boys and four girls, of which only three remain – Maria, Johannes and me. The rest of my siblings were Naemi, Simeon, Emmy, Lineekela, Johannes, Martin, Maria, Martha and Immanuel. I was baptised in the Lutheran Church at Ongwediva by Finnish pastor Koivo on 15 September 1935 and later confirmed in the same church by missionary Martinen on 11 November 1954.

As a boy, I tended family animals, collected water, cultivated mahangu fields, gathered firewood and performed other chores. In 1940, our homestead moved to Ohakwenyanga village. My father had been hired by Hugo Hahn Shongola, the native commissioner in Ovamboland, to set up a vegetable garden to supply the small white community there. His skills benefited both the administration and our family.

Education
I was fortunate to grow up near a Lutheran mission station at Ongwediva, where I attended school from kindergarten to standard six in 1953. Some of my teachers were Gerhardt Shaketange and Abraham Nyambali.

After leaving school, I worked temporarily at Damelion in Ovamboland in 1955. The following year, I sought work through the South West Africa Native Labour Association (Swanla). Recruits were tagged for job placement and transported from Ondangwa to Grootfontein, and then by train to employers across Namibia. I was sent to Okahandja, where I worked at Wernelshof Hotel for 18 months, earning 80 shillings a month. In 1959, I secured a clerical job at Pupkewitz in Walvis Bay, where I handled bookkeeping, stock and anti-theft measures. After completing my contract in 1962, I returned to Ovamboland.

In 1963, I moved to Windhoek in search of better work and found a job at Harnehof Hotel, doing upkeep work. By then, contracts had been reduced to 12 months. Between 1953 and 1964, I also worked casually on livestock, pounding mahangu and construction, including the Ondangwa–Oshakati road, Okanjengedi and Ongwediva bridges, and earth dams.

As a contract labourer, I endured the hardships of apartheid and colonialism. Attending Swapo mass mobilisation meetings opened my political conscience and strengthened my resolve to fight for liberation.

Joining the liberation struggle
In 1964, my friends Veshitile, Peter Shitongeni and I set out to join Swapo abroad. We travelled via Botswana and Northern Rhodesia before reaching Zambia in October 1964. With the help of Lucas Pohamba, then Swapo chief representative in Zambia, we travelled on to Mbeya, Tanzania, and later to Kongwa Training Centre for military and political training.

In December 1968, I was part of a group sent to North Korea for a year of intensive training. On return, I was assigned to Swapo’s Lusaka office. At the Tanga Consultative Conference, Swapo restructured, forming the People’s Liberation Army of Namibia (Plan).

From 1970, I served in various senior roles in Swapo’s Zambian office and later in military command positions. I was involved in successful operations in the Caprivi region, where Plan inflicted losses on the enemy and captured equipment, boosting morale among Namibians.

Military command
In 1975, I was appointed assistant commander of the armed forces, alongside Jonas Haiduwa and Patrick Lungada, under Dimo Hamaambo. I led several major operations, including the battle of Luana, the attack on Katima Mulilo base in August 1978, and ambushes at Singalamwe. These operations dealt heavy blows to the enemy and demonstrated Swapo’s resolve.

Later, I was appointed deputy army commander and oversaw numerous battles from Angola. I also received specialised training abroad. I was repatriated in October 1989, two years after marrying my wife, Laimi Pamekeni Pauvaneko Niimpuku. We were blessed with seven children, nine grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

Independence and service
After the implementation of United Nations Resolution 435, Namibia held elections in November 1989. Swapo emerged victorious, and on 21 March 1990 Namibia became independent, with Sam Nujoma as president.

That year, I was appointed Namibia’s first army commander, with the rank of major general. In 2000, I succeeded Dimo Hamaambo as chief of the defence force, before retiring in 2004.

Medals and awards

• Omuguluwombashe Medal
  
• Namibia Cross for Bravery
  
• NDF Ten Years Medal
  

Closing remarks
When I die, I want to go in peace, knowing Namibia is free and at peace with itself. My gratitude goes to the Swapo leadership, my comrades, my family and the Almighty God who carried me throughout this long journey.

Glory to Thee. Amen

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