DISCUSSIONS between government and the Muharukua family are in progress to determine where the late governor of Kunene, Angelika, will be buried.
Nampa learnt after visiting the family home in Hochland Park, Windhoek yesterday that the government would like to bury Muharukua at Heroes’ Acre after President Hage Geingob on Monday announced that she would be accorded a hero’s funeral.
According to some senior members of the family, the late Muharukua wished to be buried next to her father in the Kunene region.
Katuutire Kaura, who was the adviser to the governor, announced yesterday through the Otjiherero National Radio Service that mourners will be gathered at the Okatjetje village on the western outskirts of Opuwo.
Muharukua died on Sunday morning at her home in Windhoek, and not at a hospital as previously reported.
The chairperson of the Kunene Regional Council, Julius Kaujova, described Muharukua as someone befitting the description of a heroine.
“She always held the needs of the region above that of her own,” he stated. Although she had little formal education, Muharukua was supportive of educational programmes in the area, and always encouraged the youth to study hard, he added.
Kaujova, who is also Sesfontein constituency councillor, explained how the late governor had through her office assisted two youths to go and study medicine in Ukraine just a fortnight ago.
Kaura described the late governor as someone who was anchored on the pillars of education for the people of Kunene, decent health conditions, as well as the eradication of poverty in a region which for the past seven years had been hit by a severe drought. The late Muharukua joined Swapo in 1979 with her late husband, Kenatjironga Muharukua.
In 1995, she was appointed a non-voting member of the National Assembly by Founding President Sam Nujoma.
She was appointed deputy minister of Gender Equality and Child Welfare by President Hifikepunye Pohamba in 2004.
In 2015, Muharukua was appointed as governor of the Kunene region, a position she held until her death. (See more stories on page 6)
