Former member of parliament and Caprivi high treason trial convict Geoffrey Mwilima is remembered to have spent most of his 50 days after being released from prison dancing with his grandchildren.
Mwilima was released from prison on 24 December last year, after he had been jailed for more than 26 years for his involvement in a failed attempt to secede the Zambezi region from Namibia.
He died on 12 February at a private hospital in Windhoek.
Family members and friends who spoke at his memorial service at Katima Mulilo on Thursday described Mwilima as an epitome of resilience, saying that despite the hardships he endured, he never lost his joyful spirit.
A nephew of Mwilima, Cedric Mwilima, said that in his last days he made sure he made everlasting memories with his family and friends, especially with his grandchildren.
“When he returned home after he was released, he danced the night away with his children. Whenever you would call him for something, he would say he was with his grandchildren and he would call you back. However, that call would only come very late,” Cedric said.
A granddaughter of Mwilima, Kachana Simasiku, said that not even dialysis, which Mwilima received due to kidney disease, could stop him from dancing, as he always wanted to dance.
“My favorite thing about Baba was how he would always want to dance even after dialysis treatment. He would be so funny and ready to dance,” she said.
Another granddaughter, Mampi Simasiku, said that even in prison he never lost his bright smile and was always happy to see them.
“I will miss listening to the Soul Brothers on repeat, trying to show him how the TV remote or WhatsApp works. He danced with us and told us endless stories. He always made sure we knew how we were related to whom. Although the time we spent together was way too short, I will forever cherish the memories. I love you forever, Baba,” she said.
His wife, Agnes Mwilima, said Mwilima was a strong man who could hold a bull to stand still; however, seeing him become weak after all that he went through was painful for her.
She added that however she prepared for it, she decided to take an early retirement to give him her undivided attention.
“In the one month that God gave him to stay with us, he achieved a lot. Chizikulu would even call a relative at midnight, saying, ‘Come, I need to discuss something with you’. I overheard him planning a birthday for his family members. The relief I felt during this period, I wished it could go on and on and on, but God is God; no one can twist his arm. The change I saw in my boys’ character, he talked to them,” she said.
Mwilima served as a member of parliament from 1992 to 1999 as a member of the Democratic Turnhalle Alliance (DTA).
He was arrested in August 1999 following armed attacks at Katima Mulilo linked to an attempt to separate the then Caprivi region from Namibia.
After a marathon trial in the High Court, he was convicted of high treason and other charges and sentenced to imprisonment in December 2015. Following an appeal to the Supreme Court, his sentence was changed to 15 years’ imprisonment.
Mwilima is survived by his wife of close to 40 years, two brothers and one sister, eight children, 35 grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.
He will be laid to rest at Kanono, his home village in the Zambezi region’s Sibbinda constituency, on Friday.
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