Tribute to Mose

DR Mose Penaani Tjitendero is one of the greatest scholars, academics and statesmen the Republic of Namibia has produced.

He was born in the small village of Okomakuara in the Otjozondjupa Region 62 years ago. His father was a distinguished member of the late Chief Hosea Katjikururume Kutako’s Herero Chiefs Council.He was a man of humble book learning, but with his strong mind and vigorous frame he became a powerful advisor to Chief Hosea Kutako and his Council.His aim was to educate his children to the utmost of his ability and Dr Mose Penaani Tjitendero is the shining example.The distinctions he achieved in life can be traced back to the judicious guidance of his parents.Dr Mose Penaani Tjitendero is nationally and internationally acknowledged to be the foremost expert on parliamentary rules and orders and without peer in the highest realms of Namibian constitutionalism.Mose’s association with colleagues in and outside Parliament had a wonderful impressiveness that never wore off.His graciousness and gentle courtesy impressed every person he met.Gifted with a clear and brilliant intellect few people possess, inspired by a firmness of principles which commanded the admiration of friends and foes alike, he was born with the qualities required of a leader of his people.He taught us in his capacity as first Speaker of the Parliament of the Republic of Namibia that: “No government is respectable, which is not just; that without unspotted purity of public faith, without sacred public principles, fidelity, and honour, no mere forms of government, no machinery of laws, can give dignity to political society.”Without wavering, Dr Tjitendero joined Swapo in his youth, devoting his brilliance and analytical abilities and commitment to the party he served until the day when he left this world for the spirit world of his ancestors.He departed at a time when our country and Swapo party are in the midst of the most competitive political environment in our history with far-reaching precarious consequences for our country.May love of our country Namibia, which he guided for the past 15 years, glow with equal passion among all Namibians to whom his name and spirit shall descend.Namibia shall miss Dr Mose Penaani Tjitendero’s wise council in times of peace and adversity.Rest in peace.Prof Mburumba Kerina WindhoekHis father was a distinguished member of the late Chief Hosea Katjikururume Kutako’s Herero Chiefs Council.He was a man of humble book learning, but with his strong mind and vigorous frame he became a powerful advisor to Chief Hosea Kutako and his Council.His aim was to educate his children to the utmost of his ability and Dr Mose Penaani Tjitendero is the shining example.The distinctions he achieved in life can be traced back to the judicious guidance of his parents.Dr Mose Penaani Tjitendero is nationally and internationally acknowledged to be the foremost expert on parliamentary rules and orders and without peer in the highest realms of Namibian constitutionalism.Mose’s association with colleagues in and outside Parliament had a wonderful impressiveness that never wore off.His graciousness and gentle courtesy impressed every person he met.Gifted with a clear and brilliant intellect few people possess, inspired by a firmness of principles which commanded the admiration of friends and foes alike, he was born with the qualities required of a leader of his people.He taught us in his capacity as first Speaker of the Parliament of the Republic of Namibia that: “No government is respectable, which is not just; that without unspotted purity of public faith, without sacred public principles, fidelity, and honour, no mere forms of government, no machinery of laws, can give dignity to political society.”Without wavering, Dr Tjitendero joined Swapo in his youth, devoting his brilliance and analytical abilities and commitment to the party he served until the day when he left this world for the spirit world of his ancestors.He departed at a time when our country and Swapo party are in the midst of the most competitive political environment in our history with far-reaching precarious consequences for our country.May love of our country Namibia, which he guided for the past 15 years, glow with equal passion among all Namibians to whom his name and spirit shall descend.Namibia shall miss Dr Mose Penaani Tjitendero’s wise council in times of peace and adversity.Rest in peace.Prof Mburumba Kerina Windhoek