Geingob to unveil Mandume’s bust

PRESIDENT Hage Geingob is expected to unveil a bust of late Oukwanyama King Mandume ya Ndemufayo at Omhedi palace, about three kilometres from Ohangwena, on Saturday.

The unveiling will be part of the three-day centenary celebrations of the death of Ndemufayo on 6 February 1917.

Ya Ndemufayo committed suicide after sustaining serious injuries during a battle against the Portuguese and South African invading armies.

Oukwanyama Queen Martha Muadinonho Kristian Nelumbu’s secretary, Josia Udjombala, told yesterday that all was set for the commemoration, which will also be attended by more than 500 people from Angola.

Udjombala said apart from Geingob, former presidents Hifikepunye Pohamba and Sam Nujoma have been invited.

The Presidency confirmed yesterday that Geingob will attend the commemoration.

According to Udjombala, diplomats, traditional leaders, government ministers, politicians, business people and many others are also expected to attend.

He said the bust, which was made by musician and artist Ndasuunye ‘Papa’ Shikongeni, cost N$340 000, while the commemoration will cost several millions.

The Oukwanyama Traditional Authority will contribute N$1 million, while several stakeholders are expected to chip in with the rest.

According to Udjombala, a history book about the Ovakwanyama will be launched tomorrow by the queen, while the main event will be the unveiling of the bust on Saturday.

A delegation will visit Oihole in southern Angola, where they will lay a wreath on Ya Ndemufayo’s grave.

Shikongeni said he made the statue to show that local artists can do better than foreigners.

“They should know that we can also do the work. Namibian artists need to be empowered so that we can also preserve our culture and identity,” he added.

Hadino Hishongwa, a former diplomat and member of the organising committee, said the event is meaningful and vital.

“He lit the first fire for us to pursue independence. He encouraged us to go into exile and fight colonialism to free Namibia, Angola and eventually the rest of Africa,” Hishongwa said.

Johannes Kapiye, the traditional councillor for the Okongo district, said the event means a lot to him.

“You see, Ovakwanyama did not have a king for a long time, and other tribes looked down on us. The reintroduction of our kingdom has given us hope and is uniting the Angolan and Namibian Ovakwanyama,” he said.

Members of the organising committee, among them Ohangwena governor Usko Nghaamwa, were locked in a meeting yesterday when visited.

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