Johannes Nghimtina. Before he went into exile, Nghimtina worked as a clerk at Oshakati and in the postal services between 1972 and 1974.
He went into exile in 1974 to join the liberation struggle, first to Oshatotwa in Zambia and then to Soviet Union where he was trained as a military radio specialist.
Erkki Nghimtina was one of the most energetic and humble people Namibia has ever produced.
Born on 16 September 1947 at Eembidi village in the Ohangwena region, his parents were Meriam Shopati and Johannes Nghimtina. Before he went into exile, Nghimtina worked as a clerk at Oshakati and in the postal services between 1972 and 1974.
He went into exile in 1974 to join the liberation struggle, first to Oshatotwa in Zambia and then to Soviet Union where he was trained as a military radio specialist.
Between 1979 and 1982, he served as director of communication at Shilumbaba in Zambia after working as an instructor and later a supervisor for the eastern front of the Namibian War of Independence towards end of 1978.
Described by his peers as a fearless and dedicated fighter, Nghimtina also served as a director of communication for the People’s Liberation Army of Namibia, Swapo’s military wing. He trained many of his fellow soldiers on how to device communication tactics to outmanoeuvre the enemy and avoid interceptions.
After independence, he joined the Namibian Defence Force with a rank of colonel until 1995, when he joined active politics, serving as a member of the National Assembly from 1995 to 2020.
He held various Cabinet portfolios from 2005 to 2020, first as deputy minister of defence, minister of defence, minister of mines and energy and minister of works and transport.
Nghimtina’s life was not without challenges or ups and downs. However, as a military strategist and steadfast person, he managed to ignore the downs and opted for the ups.
He will be remembered as a man who spearheaded the restructuring of the Namibian diamond industry, which resulted in Namibian diamonds being cut and polished locally, doing away with exporting raw diamonds.
He also played a role in the establishment of Epangelo Mining, a state enterprise in 2009. Many people will remember him as a people’s person who liked making jokes and telling stories.
After active politics, Nghimtina remained a farmer and was fond of rural life as opposed to the city. Edundja village was his favourite place to be.
May his soul rest in peace.Between 1979 and 1982, he served as director of communication at Shilumbaba in Zambia after working as an instructor and later a supervisor for the eastern front of the Namibian War of Independence towards end of 1978.
Described by his peers as a fearless and dedicated fighter, Nghimtina also served as a director of communication for the People’s Liberation Army of Namibia, Swapo’s military wing. He trained many of his fellow soldiers on how to device communication tactics to outmanoeuvre the enemy and avoid interceptions.
After independence, he joined the Namibian Defence Force with a rank of colonel until 1995, when he joined active politics, serving as a member of the National Assembly from 1995 to 2020.
He held various Cabinet portfolios from 2005 to 2020, first as deputy minister of defence, minister of defence, minister of mines and energy and minister of works and transport.
Nghimtina’s life was not without challenges or ups and downs. However, as a military strategist and steadfast person, he managed to ignore the downs and opted for the ups.
He will be remembered as a man who spearheaded the restructuring of the Namibian diamond industry, which resulted in Namibian diamonds being cut and polished locally, doing away with exporting raw diamonds.
He also played a role in the establishment of Epangelo Mining, a state enterprise in 2009. Many people will remember him as a people’s person who liked making jokes and telling stories.
After active politics, Nghimtina remained a farmer and was fond of rural life as opposed to the city. Edundja village was his favourite place to be.
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