Former president Mbumba pays tribute to Solomon Hawala at memorial service

Nangolo Mbumba, fourth former president of Namibia, at Ohakweenyanga Village, Oshana region, 5 September 2025

As I stand here before you on this solemn occasion, I recall a very famous Cuban saying “patria o muerte, venceremos”, meaning “homeland or death, we shall overcome”.

During the struggle, this slogan and clarion call came to symbolise the fight against colonialism, imperialism, racism and foreign domination, occupation and hegemony. It came to define the driving force behind freedom fighters around the world, separated by land and seas but united in spirit and principle.

Namibia’s freedom is watered by the blood of countless patriots who chose to liberate their homeland or die trying, thereby paying the ultimate sacrifice on the numerous battlefields which echo the cries of our struggle for independence. These men and women possessed a unique constitution, characterised by an unflinching bravery, resolute determination and true selflessness which distinguished them as the ultimate patriots. It is for this reason that we will always value and hold in the highest esteem the veterans of our liberation struggle and the members of our armed forces.

It is for this reason that we have all come here today, to Ohakweenyanga village, to remember and pay tribute to a fighter, soldier, husband, father, grandfather, brother and son, lieutenant general (Rtd) Solomon Dumeni Hawala, who carried in his heart an unwavering patriotism and a devotion to the cause of the total liberation of Namibia from the scourge of apartheid colonial rule.

Hawala lived a life of sacrifice; a life defined by hard work, dedication and discipline. Today, this son from Efidilomulunga, the great Oshana region, is no more. However, the impact of his contribution to Namibia’s independence will reverberate through the foundation of our nation for centuries.

It is not easy to deal with the loss of a man of the stature of lieutenant general (Rtd) Hawala. Therefore, at this sombre gathering, we unite in the spirit of peace and understanding, in order to console one another, most specifically the bereaved family, as we remember the exploits of this gallant son of the Namibian soil.

In honour of his memory we remain ever grateful for the enormous depth of his sacrifices and the profound price paid in the name of Namibia and its people.

Since joining Swapo in 1962 and, two years later, the armed struggle for the liberation of Namibia, Hawala dedicated his life to the cause of fighting for freedom. Receiving his military training at Kongwa, Tanzania; North Korea and the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, respectively, his career echoed the adage by the 18th century Russian general Alexander Suvorov, who said: “What is difficult in training will become easy in battle.”

Indeed, lieutenant general (Rtd) Hawala’s military prowess established him as an adept soldier and later on commander, who used his battlefield acumen to full effect, participating in, planning and directing combat missions against apartheid South Africa forces in the Zambezi region while he was based in Zambia, and later deputised lieutenant general Dimo Hamaambo as the People’s Liberation Army of Namibia deputy commander.

After independence, lieutenant general (Rtd) Hawala played an integral role in the establishment and professionalisation of the Namibian Defence Force. Joining as major general, he quickly rose to the rank of army commander before being appointed as chief of the Namibian Defence Force. His military track record is indisputable and his contribution to the struggle is invaluable.

To the bereaved widow, colonel (Rtd) Laimi Hawala, we are with you in mourning, we are with you in sorrow and we shall be with you and the entire bereaved family as you move on in the days, weeks, months and years ahead. We honour your departed husband for his service to Swapo, the People’s Liberation Army of Namibia, the Namibian Defence Force and the nation at large. We honour him for his mental fortitude and for putting his life on the line so that today, we can experience peace, stability and unity in a free and independent Namibia.

May God be with you, may he be with the family. May God bless the veterans of our liberation struggle, may God bless the Republic of Namibia and may God grant the brave soul of lieutenant general (Rtd) Solomon Dumeni Hawala eternal rest and peace.

I thank you.

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