THE governor of the //Kharas region, Aletha Frederik, has hailed the late Willem Konjore as an icon of the liberation struggle and educationalist at a memorial service held in his honour at Keetmanshoop on Wednesday.
The late Konjore served as a member of the Constituent Assembly in 1989 and as deputy speaker of the august house from 2000 to 2005. He also served as minister of environment and tourism in 2005 and was then transferred to the Ministry of Youth, National Service, Sport and Culture in 2008.
Konjore was also a pioneer, who started a private school called /Khoichas Primary School at Vaalgras, and made English the medium of instruction, as he opposed Afrikaans and the standard of Bantu education.
“Mr Konjore was a true fighter, a mentor and born leader. His education, even in theology, would end up giving him a firm moral compass to contribute to the upbuilding of a nation and make a positive contribution as a politician,” said the governor.
Konjore was conferred the Most Brilliant Order of the Sun second class award by president Hifikepunye Pohamba in 2014, for the service he rendered to the country.
//Kharas regional Swapo party coordinator Mathew Mumbala said the late Konjore was one of those people who kept the torch of the liberation struggle burning inside the country before independence.
Mumbala said Konjore defended the Swapo party until his last breath and was a fearless defender of Namibian woman and children when they were being opposed by the colonial government.
“We shall forever remember his contributions during those difficult times Swapo party faced, when he was still with us,” said Mumbala.
He urged the current leadership to emulate the examples of loyalty, dedication and steadfastness in their approach to developing the country as shown by the late Konjore.
