Dr Mose Tjitendero passes away

FORMER National Assembly Speaker and Swapo veteran, Dr Mose Tjitendero, has passed away.

The 63-year-old former Member of Parliament died in the Roman Catholic Hospital yesterday morning after a long illness. Tjitendero served as the first Speaker of Namibia’s National Assembly between 1990 and 2004, and has been a member of the Swapo Central Committee since 1981.He also formed part of the ‘Tanganyika club’ of activists in the 1960s, who worked to propel Swapo into an international movement.At the 2004 Swapo Extraordinary Congress, Tjitendero nominated Hidipo Hamutenya, a fellow former Lincoln University of Pennsylvania student, as the party’s presidential candidate, running against Prime Minister Nahas Angula and eventual winner, Hifikepunye Pohamba.In the 2004 ‘Guide to Namibian Politics’, Tjitendero is described as “widely respected as an impartial chairperson of parliamentary proceedings and an advocate of popular participation in Namibia’s democracy”.His successor in the National Assembly, Theo-Ben Gurirab, yesterday called the late Tjitendero a true freedom fighter and champion of the birth of the country.”To many of us he was a true friend, comrade and colleague over a period of many years.His death is a severe blow to all of us at Parliament and the entire Namibian nation.In his official capacity and in his personal capacity, comrade Tjitendero has made an extraordinary contribution to our country and our people,” the Speaker said.Gurirab expressed condolences on behalf of himself, Parliament and President Hifikepunye Pohamba.By yesterday afternoon, many Namibians were sending messages of condolences and thoughts on the late politician.”He was a man born to a Herero slave woman, who leaves behind a family of people full of dignity and respect for others,” said Dr Rukee Tjingaete, Deputy Director of Tourism and Planning and the Ministry of Environment.”He was an intellectual giant, full of oratory beauty and wits that made him a sound Speaker of Parliament who strived to sustain the quality of debates in parliament.”Mose and (his wife) Sandy’s house in Lusaka was warm and their love and determination motivated many Namibians who at times lost hope in the cause that we escaped the country for,” Tjingaete said.Tjitendero’s family said yesterday that no funeral arrangements had been made yet.Tjitendero served as the first Speaker of Namibia’s National Assembly between 1990 and 2004, and has been a member of the Swapo Central Committee since 1981.He also formed part of the ‘Tanganyika club’ of activists in the 1960s, who worked to propel Swapo into an international movement.At the 2004 Swapo Extraordinary Congress, Tjitendero nominated Hidipo Hamutenya, a fellow former Lincoln University of Pennsylvania student, as the party’s presidential candidate, running against Prime Minister Nahas Angula and eventual winner, Hifikepunye Pohamba. In the 2004 ‘Guide to Namibian Politics’, Tjitendero is described as “widely respected as an impartial chairperson of parliamentary proceedings and an advocate of popular participation in Namibia’s democracy”.His successor in the National Assembly, Theo-Ben Gurirab, yesterday called the late Tjitendero a true freedom fighter and champion of the birth of the country.”To many of us he was a true friend, comrade and colleague over a period of many years.His death is a severe blow to all of us at Parliament and the entire Namibian nation.In his official capacity and in his personal capacity, comrade Tjitendero has made an extraordinary contribution to our country and our people,” the Speaker said.Gurirab expressed condolences on behalf of himself, Parliament and President Hifikepunye Pohamba.By yesterday afternoon, many Namibians were sending messages of condolences and thoughts on the late politician.”He was a man born to a Herero slave woman, who leaves behind a family of people full of dignity and respect for others,” said Dr Rukee Tjingaete, Deputy Director of Tourism and Planning and the Ministry of Environment.”He was an intellectual giant, full of oratory beauty and wits that made him a sound Speaker of Parliament who strived to sustain the quality of debates in parliament.”Mose and (his wife) Sandy’s house in Lusaka was warm and their love and determination motivated many Namibians who at times lost hope in the cause that we escaped the country for,” Tjingaete said.Tjitendero’s family said yesterday that no funeral arrangements had been made yet.