Govt rejects request for Iindji official funeral

Government recently rejected a request for an official funeral for Tomas Iindji, saying while the revered banker’s contribution was admirable, honouring him with such a funeral would ‘lower the bar’.Namibian Sun understands that Oshana governor Elia Irimari wrote a letter to the veterans’ affairs division in the defence ministry – which falls under the purview of deputy minister Hilma Nicanor - expressing a request by Iindji’s friends and relatives for the veteran banker to be accorded an official funeral.Iindji (44) died last month at a Windhoek hospital after a short illness, and was buried at his home village Ombuga ya Munyoko in the Oshana Region on Saturday.The request was spearheaded by the communications committee of the late Iindji’s funeral and headed by Paulus Nakawa, who on 26 April wrote to Irimari, making the request for the official funeral.That same day, Irimari authored a letter of recommendation to the chairperson of the National Honours Advisory Committee, Annely Haifene.“Comrade Iindji was a renowned banker of note, selfless young man and dedicated cadre of the ruling party,” Irimari wrote.“He has served as the Namibia Chamber of Commerce and Industry (NCCI) chairperson for the northern branch and, during his tenure, he demonstrated exemplary leadership, always striving to address the concerns and challenges faced by our business community. His relentless pursuit of better laws and a more conducive business environment have left a lasting impact the effects of which will continue to be felt for many years to come,” the letter read.Would open floodgatesNamibian Sun understands that an official funeral includes costs of up to N$80 000 and a six-gun salute.The National Honours Advisory Committee, which advises the president on the conferment of national honours, reviewed Irimari’s request and advised against granting an official funeral to Iindji. It is understood that the committee feared that granting the request would open the floodgates to similar appeals in future.Iindji would have become one of the few private citizens to receive the honour had the committee approved the request. In 2020, lawyers representing the family of deceased former football coach Seth Boois wrote to president Hage Geingob to ask that he be buried at Heroes&#039; Acre. The family enumerated Boois&#039; journey in football circles and literature as warranting a hero&#039;s funeral. The request was declined.Yesterday, Irimari said President Nangolo Mbumba, who has the final say in terms of state-sponsored funerals, has been out of office since the request was made. But Namibian Sun is informed that the request was, in any case, rejected at committee level and would not have reached Mbumba’s office.Attempts to get comment from the veteran affairs division and Haifene proved futile.kenya@namibiansun.com

Govt rejects request for Iindji official funeral

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Namibian Sun 2026-04-17

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Govt rejects request for Iindji official funeral

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Namibian Sun 2026-04-17

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