We lost a legend – Hompa Mundjembwe remembers Gende

The hompa of the Shambyu Traditional Authority, Sofia Mundjembwe, describes the late Alois Gende, a former Democratic Turnhalle Alliance member of parliament, as a legend.

Gende died at Rundu Intermediate State Hospital in the Kavango East region on Thursday.

“He was a senior figure in the Vashambyu Traditional Authority, and he was a close friend of the hompas and other traditional leaders before me,” Mundjembwe says.

Mundjembwe highlights the loss of an icon who contributed to shaping traditional customs.

“The people of the Shambyu did not only lose a member, they lost deeply as he was an advisor to the hompas when he was alive,” she notes.

Gende was among the pioneering lawmakers who helped shape Namibia’s post-independence democracy.

His parliamentary service was marked by a commitment to rural development and cultural preservation, especially within the region.

At the time of his death, Mundjembwe confirmed Gende has been serving as the headman of Uvhungu-vhungu village in the Rundu Rural constituency for over a year.

He was also the widower of the late hompa Angeline Ribebe, the revered queen of the Vashambyu people, with whom he shared decades of leadership and tradition.

Community members describe Gende as a man of principle, humility and wisdom.

Uvhungu-Vhungu headman secretary Simon Matumu says the community has lost its leader who people count on.

“We have lost a leader I was hoping would develop our community and mentor me in leadership,” Matumu says.

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