Honouring the life and legacy of Solomon Hawala

 President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, Ongwediva, 5 September 2025

---

It is with utmost sadness that I stand before you on this sombre morning, a morning on which we have converged to honour, celebrate and reminisce about the life of one of the gallant sons of this country, late lieutenant general Solomon Dumeni Hawala, who passed on 11 August 2025 at the age of 89, just eight days before he could celebrate his 90th birthday.

Today is more painful for his family members, his comrades and those close to him, because this service is taking place on the eve of what should have been a celebration of his 90th birthday, which was meant to take place tomorrow.

Recognising that the plans of God, which are not our own, took us to the opposite end of our initial plans. However, notwithstanding the solemn nature of this occasion, I would like us to use this day to appreciate and celebrate the life of this stalwart, a brave soldier of the Namibian revolution who committed his life to the struggle for freedom and national independence.

I take this moment to honour a resilient decorated freedom fighter, a commander of the resolute combatants of the People’s Liberation Army of Namibia, whose patriotism inspired many Namibians to fight apartheid colonialism until the final victory was achieved. During the darkest hours of our struggle for independence, comrade Hawala provided our people with hope, inspiration and impeccable military leadership.

To many freedom fighters he was a symbol of the struggle for freedom, justice, equality and dignity, not only for Namibia, but throughout Southern Africa in particular, and Africa in general. His selfless sacrifice inspired a generation of freedom fighters who fought relentlessly for justice, freedom and human progress. He leaves us with a legacy of resilience as we forge ahead with the daunting struggle for economic independence and prosperity for all Namibians.

Comrade Hawala was not only a deputy commander of the People’s Liberation Army of Namibia and a military leader in independent Namibia. He was a boldly committed freedom fighter, a pillar of strength, and a political rock that demonstrated a spirit of bravery, fortitude and selfless leadership. He belongs to a galaxy of selfless martyrs, a generation of principled, dependable and militant leaders of Namibia’s liberation struggle. He was an accomplished military strategist.

When the call to liberate Namibia from German imperialism and apartheid colonialism echoed throughout Namibia, it was heroes such as comrade Hawala who answered that national call without hesitation. He and many other Namibian heroes and heroines left behind their families, their dreams and their comfort zones to unwaveringly wage a bitter struggle for independence. Their dedication and commitment to the freedom of the Namibian people should serve as a shining and inspiring example.

It is important to note that behind each fallen hero, there is a unique but intertwining story. A story of a life filled with dreams, aspirations and selflessness. As we bow our heads in remembrance of comrade Hawala, many faces and stories of heroism flood our memories. Their heroic lives intertwine with ours, serving as a constant reminder of the price paid for our freedom, for our humanity, our liberty and independence.

I call on all peace-loving Namibians, particularly those who cherish the fruits of liberation, to pause for a minute and reflect on the blessings we enjoy today because of the sacrifices paid by both the fallen and living heroes and heroines. Let us pay tribute and express our profound gratitude for their selflessness, bravery and unwavering dedication to Namibia’s freedom. We must never forget the debt we owe to these remarkable individuals.

The glorious stories and memories of comrade Hawala and other heroes and heroines deserve to be preserved. It is our responsibility to educate present and future generations about the sacrifices made by our heroes. Preservation of the memories of our fallen and living heroes and heroines can be done in many ways. These include writing books, building shrines, visiting memorials, engaging in conversations about our history, and introducing civic education at an early age. This will ensure that the legacy of our heroes and heroines remains alive and strengthens us as we move forward in our developmental agenda.

At times like these, when we honour our heroes and heroines, we must endeavour to inspire a spirit of unity, nationhood and togetherness. It is the unity among the freedom fighters of Swapo both inside and outside the country that brought us this freedom and independence. Like every true member of Swapo, both in leadership and the rank and file, comrade Hawala never worked as an individual or as part of a selected group. He understood the unity of purpose and performed tasks assigned to him by the movement in order to ensure that the revolution succeeded.

For Swapo as a liberation movement to achieve our objective, we made sure the concept of working in isolation never existed. We must also bear in mind that at the time we were fighting the apartheid political system, it was backed by one of the most vicious and notorious military machineries aimed to destroy Swapo and its military wing, the People’s Liberation Army of Namibia.

Therefore, Swapo leadership needed to be vigilant and work closely together to enhance the chances of keeping the revolution alive. It was through vigilance that the Swapo leadership and fighters survived throughout that protracted war against the apartheid system, which was the strongest war machine on the continent at that time.

Today, we stand tall and proud that Swapo has achieved its strategic political goal, which is independence for all Namibians. Thanks to the Swapo leadership and everyone else who ensured that the apartheid system was defeated and eventually dismantled by the Namibian people.

Following the long and bitter war of the liberation struggle for our independence, there was a general amnesty proclaimed by the then administrator general in 1989. The purpose was to ensure that the erstwhile enemies were pardoned. Hence, the Swapo Party under the leadership of president Sam Shafiishuna Nujoma, may his soul rest in eternal peace, introduced and implemented the policy of national reconciliation that has helped unite and heal the wounds of this country and its people.

Thirty-five years of independence, we should focus on moving forward as a united people in order to achieve absolute economic freedom. The unity of our people must transcend political differences, cultural backgrounds, personal beliefs, regionalism and tribalism. These were the vices used and continue to be used to turn our people against each other, and as a nation, we must resist such manoeuvres. We are an independent country, and every Namibian should be a beneficiary of what our heroes and heroines fought for.

Heroes do not die as their legacies live on. On that note, comrade Hawala served as People’s Liberation Army of Namibia deputy army commander during the liberation struggle. Furthermore, as a tireless and responsible Namibian who stood ready to serve his country and his people, after independence he served as the first army commander and eventually as second chief of the defence force in independent Namibia before his retirement from active military service. Comrade Hawala played a crucial role in uniting opposing factions into a single national defence force.

Against that backdrop, I therefore urge all Namibians from all walks of life to stand together, hand in hand, and champion the importance of unity in preserving the values that our heroes and heroines stood for by sacrificing their precious lives for the independence of the Land of the Brave.

Allow me therefore, on behalf of the government and the people of Namibia and indeed on my own behalf, to extend our heartfelt condolences to colonel Laimi Hawala, children, the entire Hawala family, friends and comrades of the late general Hawala. Let the Almighty God, the giver and the taker, comfort you and give you strength during this difficult period of bereavement.

May the soul of a gallant fighter and hero, comrade Hawala, rest peacefully in eternity.

I thank you.

In an age of information overload, Sunrise is The Namibian’s morning briefing, delivered at 6h00 from Monday to Friday. It offers a curated rundown of the most important stories from the past 24 hours – occasionally with a light, witty touch. It’s an essential way to stay informed. Subscribe and join our newsletter community.