Swapo secretary general Sophia Shaningwa made mourners laugh during a memorial service held in honour of Swapo parliamentarian James Uerikua at Parliament Gardens in Windhoek on Wednesday.
Delivering her message of condolence, she said Uerikua pushed the implementation of various government projects aimed at accelerating development in the Otjozondjupa region, before asking for a glass of water.
“I never took a glass of water, give me something,” she said.
When the bottle of water was brought to her, she said: “Is the water safe? . . . You are my witness, take care of her.”
A second bottle of water was brought to Shaningwa, which she turned away, saying she was alright and had already had some water.
“What is this? No, I am alright, I drank already . . . Uerikua was widely respected as a voice of reason,” she continued, describing the former Otjozondjupa governor as a charismatic parliamentarian.
Uerikua and his son Venturo died in a road accident in the Otjozondjupa region on 3 April.
