TRIBUTES have started pouring in for the late chief of the Kai-//Khaun tribe at Hoachanas, Simon Petrus Kooper.
His death on Monday, following a short illness, was confirmed by the secretary general of the Nama Traditional Leaders Association (NTLA), Deodat Dirkse.
The governor of the Hardap region, Salomon April, visited the Kooper family home at Hoachanas on Monday night, and conveyed condolences on behalf of the Presidency and the region.
“May his soul rest in peace, and may the family and the clan find solace in the graceful presence of the Lord,” said April.
President Hage Geingob said Kooper's death is a great loss to the Kai-//Khaun clan which he served diligently as their leader.
Geingob added that Namibia has lost a community leader who worked tirelessly towards social justice and socio-economic development.
“On behalf of the Namibian people and the government … I wish to extend my condolences to the children, the bereaved family, the Kai-//Khaun clan, and the entire Nama Traditional Leaders Association.
“Let us accept God's wish during this hour of grief and may we find solace in his word,” said Geingob.
President of the Popular Democratic Movement (PDM) McHenry Venaani said Kooper represented a key component of the genocide debate, and was a staunch and valiant representative of the Nama people.
Venaani said the late Kooper was a respected leader who played an integral role in uniting the Kai-//Khaun clan, and he fought for their development and that of Namibia at large.
“While Gaob Kooper was a proud and respected custodian of customs and traditions that were centuries old, he was equally passionate about the socio-economic development of the Hoachanas community,” said Venaani.
The late chief was sworn in in 2013 and served as the chairperson of the NTLA.
He was very vocal against the exclusion of the Nama and Ovaherero communities in reparation negotiations for the 1904-1908 genocide.
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