MCDAVID MERORODURING A memorial service for liberation icon comrade Andimba Toivo ya Toivo, former president Hifikepunye Pohamba remarked during his tribute message that he dreamed of taking a flight from Eros Airport in Windhoek to Ya Toivo Airport at Ondangwa. When President Hage Geingob spoke at the same occasion, he promised to make sure that his predecessor’s dream became a reaity.
I too have had a similar dream for years – imagining taking a flight from the proposed David Hosea Meroro Airport in Windhoek (Eros) to Andimba Toivo ya Toivo Airport at Ondangwa when I go to visit my relatives at Eheke village. A few kilometres outside Ondangwa, it is the village of the mother of my great grandmother (a princess), daughter of King Martin of the Ondonga Kingdom on my maternal side.
l wish president Geingob would encourage the process of renaming Eros Airport to David Hosea Meroro Airport, a suggestion that was already made in July 2015. Comrade President, let’s embrace historical justice and adequately commemorate the contribution of this great son of the Namibian soil.
Many Namibians feel that David Meroro’s contribution cannot be quantified by a street naming. They feel he deserves greater recognition. Other less-deserving individuals have been given far more recognition than this man who had international stature.
Eros Airport is the developmental hub of many dynamics in our economy. In this context, Eros is not an appropriate name for this airport. In ancient Greek, the word Eros means god of sexuality or derives from sexual love or desire. It is inappropriate and does not reflect our new Namibia.
The late comrade Meroro was the embodiment of national pride and a constant promoter of our developmental goals.
Renaming Eros Airport after the late David Hosea Meroro will ensure that the heritage of the liberation struggle will be conveyed to the people of Namibia, especially the youth. The name of a Namibian patriot is appropriate. It will also ensure that its history is preserved.
Meroro left an indelible political legacy for which many of us – current and future generations – will forever be thankful.
His contribution not only helped shape the statehood of the Republic of Namibia but also the political landscape of southern Africa, continental Africa and the world.
From 1937 to 1960, he engaged in the politics of the Chiefs Council in Windhoek, which dominated African politics before the advent of modern party politics and the development of Namibian nationalism, and was a founder leader of Swapo from the 1960s to 1991.
David Meroro was also one of the few indigenous black businessmen in the 1940s who created a credit system for many around the Old Location after opening his own general dealership, which he later moved to Katutura.
He was engaged in the life and politics of the time, and fought the liberation struggle with exceptional altruism. He was a successful businessman with impeccable human relations and acumen.
While being well-off at that time – compared to the economic deprivation of many of our people – Meroro never contemplated abandoning the quest for freedom, liberation and independence. His was a quest for justice for his people.
He remained steadfast in his commitment to ushering in a new spirit of nationalism amongst Namibians. Many left for exile, among them the first guerrilla fighters who fought at Omugulugwombashe on 26 August 1966.
Meroro fought the unbridled and arrogant power of the apartheid state machinery without fear or hesitation. The apartheid regime feared him and the formidable and well-calculated speeches he gave during anti-colonial mass rallies both in Namibia and in exile.
Comrade President, what else than to take this proposal to the next Cabinet meeting for approval? Thank you.
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