By Ruth Kamwi FORMER defence deputy minister Petrus Iilonga’s romantic side was illustrated in a speech compiled by his wife Paulina and her friends, who helped to transcribe it, and read by former home affairs minister Pendukeni Iivula-Ithana at his memorial service in Windhoek yesterday.
“I stand here in the shoes, heavy shoes of a spouse whose husband is lying before us,” Iivula-thana read as she invited mourners down memory lane by detailing how the couple met through former youth minister Jerry Ekandjo.
Paulina was a high school pupil while Ekandjo, Iilonga and friends served their prison terms at Robben Island.
She said she would write to them when she wanted to know about English related questions and that Iilonga and friends became her English teachers by correspondence.
Paulina physically met Iilonga — who had come for a follow-up at the casualty department — after his release in 1985 when she was a young registered nurse working at Windhoek Central Hospital.
The mourners laughed when Iivula-Ithana read about Paulina initially not willing to “lower her standards” — as a registered nurse — for an unemployed jailbird (omunadholongo) whose compatibility she doubted.
“Sorry ngoo,” Paulina wrote to Iilonga then.
Iilonga, however, would visit her up to three times a day at work and bring her assorted gifts — mostly perfumes — despite being unemployed.
Paulina described her late husband as a unique person who was honest, friendly, helpful, trustworthy, humble and a straight talker.
After dating for eight months, Iilonga proposed to Paulina, who was just 23 years old.
Not long after having proposed marriage, Iilonga managed to get her to accept his proposal. He took her to the American Swiss shop in Windhoek to select her engagement ring.
She wanted to return home to inform her parents of an engagement party, little knowing that Iilonga did not want all those elaborate procedures.
“To him, placing the ring on his future wife was an engagement.” Mourners laughed when Iivula-Ithana read about the engagement taking place in the jewellery shop.
They married on 4 July 1987 and had nine children together.
The late Iilonga loved people and frequently hosted up to 20 visitors at his home. One of their neighbours, Nancy Kaporo, once remarked that it looked as though there was a party at the Iilonga home, every day.
“Petrus was a person for the nation, a caring husband, a brother, a leader, a trade unionist and a politician. Petrus was my mentor and he taught me a lot about politics. Tate Iilonga taught me a lot about life in general,” Paulina pointed out about her late husband.
The late Iilonga encouraged his wife to save money to accommodate and assist others — out of generosity. He assisted many students by paying their school fees, assisted those on the verge of losing their homes —particularly in Katutura — and helped his family during bereavement and weddings.
Paulina thanked God for the good listener who stood by her.
Former president Hifikepunye Pohamba highlighted that it was sad to have to gather at the parliament gardens after having laid to rest another freedom fighter, Matias ‘Mbulunganga’ Ndakolo, only last week.
“Comrade Iilonga contributed to our nation building with vigour and dedication as he served as deputy minister in different portfolios in the government of the Republic of Namibia,” Pohamba acknowledged, before mentioning that “the country has lost yet another brave son who will never be forgotten in the history of the country”.
Pohamba pointed out that in recognition of his gallantry and dedication to the struggle of Namibia’s liberation, Iilonga was conferred with the Omugulugombashe Freedom Medal and the Most Excellent Order of the Eagle 2nd Class.
Former president Sam Nujoma described Ilonga’s life as one of “service and sacrifice dedicated to the struggling masses of our people.”
Nujoma said Iilonga will be remembered for his unwavering belief in forging a society based on the values of freedom, justice and solidarity for all.
“He was a down-to-earth man who had no need for glory and recognition. Little wonder he always lived among his people in Katutura even when he was appointed as a member of parliament and subsequently as a deputy minister,” Nujoma said.
The founding father mentioned that despite having spent close to eight years as a political prisoner on Robben Island – with the enemy thinking they would silence him — Iilonga proved them wrong.
“They emerged from prison emboldened in their determination to free our country,” said Nujoma.
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