Four fire victims laid to rest

HUNDREDS of mourners yesterday packed the ELCIN Hallelujah Congregation church at Keetmanshoop for the funeral of four children who died in a shack fire last week.

The four children – two boys and two girls – were burnt beyond recognition when fire gutted their shack at the town’s Illeni informal settlement on Thursday night. They are Paulina Ndahekalekwa Johannes (11), Foibe Ndamanguluka Johannes (11), Tilnage Jackson Johannes (1) and Moses Nghuukwete Johannes (1).The two 11-year-olds were second graders at the Kroenlein Primary School.The children’s father, Evalistus Johannes (42), survived the fire but suffered 40 per cent burns.He could not attend the funeral as he was still receiving treatment in the Katutura State Hospital, where he was transferred on the day after the fire.It is believed that the fire was caused by a candle left burning after the family fell asleep.The children’s mothers wept uncontrollably as the four coffins were lowered into the same grave at the Tseiblaagte cemetery at the town.Kroenlein Primary School Principal Peter Visser described the second-graders as “hardworking and committed”.”Paulina was a role model for fellow pupils while Foibe was a hardworking pupil,” said Visser, who is also a town councillor.Karas Governor Dawid Boois and town councillor Finna Elago attended the funeral too.While expressing condolences to the bereaved family, Boois wished the children’s father a speedy recovery.They are Paulina Ndahekalekwa Johannes (11), Foibe Ndamanguluka Johannes (11), Tilnage Jackson Johannes (1) and Moses Nghuukwete Johannes (1).The two 11-year-olds were second graders at the Kroenlein Primary School.The children’s father, Evalistus Johannes (42), survived the fire but suffered 40 per cent burns.He could not attend the funeral as he was still receiving treatment in the Katutura State Hospital, where he was transferred on the day after the fire.It is believed that the fire was caused by a candle left burning after the family fell asleep.The children’s mothers wept uncontrollably as the four coffins were lowered into the same grave at the Tseiblaagte cemetery at the town.Kroenlein Primary School Principal Peter Visser described the second-graders as “hardworking and committed”.”Paulina was a role model for fellow pupils while Foibe was a hardworking pupil,” said Visser, who is also a town councillor.Karas Governor Dawid Boois and town councillor Finna Elago attended the funeral too.While expressing condolences to the bereaved family, Boois wished the children’s father a speedy recovery.