Business community mourns Endjala

BUSINESSMAN Johannes Endjala, who died on Sunday, has been described as a leader who has contributed immensely towards the socio-economic upliftment of Namibia.

According to his peers, his death has created a vacuum extending beyond his family.

Northern businessman Tobias Amadhila says Endjala’s death is a big loss to the business community.

Endjala died at a time when he still had too much to do, including creating jobs locally and abroad, Amadhila says.

“He was really hardworking, that’s why we voted for him to represent us in the Namibia Chamber of Commerce and Industry (NCCI). I would like to urge his family to continue where he left off. His businesses should not collapse. Even if the owner has passed on, the business should continue so that the young generation can also learn from his craft,” he says.

Endjala’s elder brother Joseph, who is also a businessman, describes his brother as a people’s person who liked to help people.

He says Endjala has employed many residents of Okapya village, where he was born.

“He was not only my brother, he was a brother to many. He would throw a Christmas party for the elders at the village. He was a leader,” Joseph says.

He says the last time he spoke to his brother was about 20 days ago while he was near Karibib working on an MTC tower.

“He told me he was well, and I told him not to go far from the hospital because they had just discharged him. When he came back, he was admitted until his death on Sunday,” he says.

Businessman Tomas Iindji says he is saddened by Endjala’s passing, and that his death is a great blow to the business fraternity.

“With the passing of Tate John Akapandi Endjala, we have lost a pioneer and committed activist who will be remembered for paving the way for countless numbers of aspirant local business people, and for radically transforming the heavily radicalised business landscape in Namibia in general, and in the northern parts of our country in particular,” he says.

Iindji says he worked with Endjala when he (Endjala) was the chairperson of the NCCI for the northern regions.

“Endjala was a straightforward person, but had a good heart to listen to everyone,” he says.

He says Endjala was a business leader of great distinction and a person of rare qualities.

“Simplicity, imagination, humour, and great kindness are the best words to define our dear friend and colleague, who will be with us forever, as there is a saying that death does not defeat us, it only makes us invisible,” Iindji says.

He says Endjala has immensely contributed to the socio-economic upliftment of all in Namibia.

“We should be encouraged to emulate the good life tate Akapandi Endjala lived,” he says.

According to Iindji, Endjala was accommodating of everyone, regardless of their social status.

The Namibia Asset Management chief executive officer Tarah Shaanika described the death of “tate Akapandi as a great loss to the Namibian business community. “He saw opportunities where many could not see them and therefore established various types of businesses. He took on these opportunities and established a number of successful ventures,” Shaanika said.

Namibia Chamber of Commerce and Industry (NCCI) president Bisey Uirab thanked Endjala for his role in advancing the interests of the business community. Uirab said the death of Endjala is a big loss to Namibia.

“He was particularly passionate about growing young, black business people so that they can also become significant contributors to the domestic economy. He has taken many young people under his wings, coached them, mentored them and assisted them financially,” Uirab said.

Endjala, who co-owned J&P Group with his wife, Penehafo, died on Sunday afternoon in a Windhoek hospital.

He was 58.

J&P Group’s business interests include property development and hospitality.

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