A VETERAN politician and a household name in agricultural circles, Jan de Wet (83), lost his battle against cancer and died in Windhoek on Sunday night.
Shocked and saddened by the news, Agriculture Minister John Mutorwa yesterday said De Wet’s death was a big loss to the country. The Minister didn’t just hail De Wet’s contribution to agriculture, but also praised him for the role he played in Namibia’s transition to Independence.Former Agriculture Minister Helmut Angula said De Wet was a ‘man of character’, a man with an apartheid background who became ‘liberal and accommodating’ and one who sought reconciliation between Government and commercial farmers on thorny issues like land reform.DTA President Katuutire Kaura described De Wet as a ‘true son of Namibia’, who accepted change when Independence came and continued to play a major role, especially in agriculture. ‘May his soul rest in peace,’ Kaura said.As a member of Action Christian National (ACN), De Wet was a member of Transitional Government of National Unity from 1985 until the 1989 democratic election. After Independence he represented the ACN in the Constituent Assembly of Namibia (1989-90), as well as the first National Assembly (1990-94).De Wet was equally well known in the agricultural sector. He was one of the founders of the Red Meat Producers’ Association, today known as the Livestock Producers’ Organisation (LPO), and served as president of the Namibia Agricultural Union (NAU) for two terms. De Wet was also the agriculture minister in the transitional government before Independence.A memorial service is scheduled for Saturday at 10h00 at the NG Church in Eros.De Wet is survived by his wife, Lesinda, his four daughters and 13 granddaughters.
