IT IS WITH great sadness that I learnt about the demise of a former student activist, honourable Ignatius Nkotongo Shixwameni, a member of parliament on the ticket of the All Peoples Party (APP).
I have had the privilege to meet him several times and interact beyond party politics.
l truly admire the fact that during all our meetings and interactions, he has always guided and provided advice, which turned out helpful – our political differences aside.
Namibia is deeply shocked about the unrecoverable loss of a charismatic leader. The country will not find another leader, especially on the side of the opposition parties, who is above party politics like the late Shixwameni.
He was a distinguished personality. I am praying for his heartbroken family and friends, including myself.
Shixwameni was born on 4 September 1966.
He cut his first political teeth in Swapo. lt was in this party that he began his political career, acquired most of the skills he possessed, and made his name on a reality show.
He was a Swapo youth league leader from 1987 to 1999 and served with other young people of his generation, such as comrade Peya Mushelenga, the late Kazenambo Kazenambo, Juliet Kavetuna, and Paulus Kapia among others.
He was a Swapo Central Committee member from 1992 to 1997, and was elected to parliament in 1999 as a member of Swapo.
He later joined the opposition, the Congress of Democrats (CoD), when it was formed in 2000, with other of his comrades, such as Ben Ulenga and the late Nora Schimming-Chase.
He served as the party chief whip for the CoD in the august house.
He resigned from the CoD in December 2007, along with 21 other members, and founded a new party, the APP, as a split from the CoD.
In October 2009, the APP selected him as party candidate for the presidential election.
Once again l would like to express my condolences to his wife and his family.
Rest at easy, my brother!
McDavid Meroro
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