Mukwiilongo: Swapo neglected Ras Sheehama
• ‘Swapo must not pretend’
The NEFF leader has slammed Swapo politicians for 'mistreating' Ras Sheehama while he was alive and said they should not suddenly express solidarity now.
Staff ReporterWindhoek
Leader of the Namibia Economic Freedom Fighters (NEFF) Epafras Mukwiilongo has accused Swapo of neglecting the late musician Ras Sheehama, despite the sacrifices his family made for the liberation struggle.
Sheehama, who died by suicide last week at the age of 59, was the son of the late businessman and freedom fighter David Enghali Sheehama. The elder Sheehama supported Swapo financially and logistically during the armed struggle, providing clothing, food and shelter to combatants of its military wing, PLAN.
After refusing attempts by the apartheid regime to lure him into the Bantustan administration, David Sheehama was assassinated by Koevoet members on 14 March 1980 while sleeping next to his pregnant wife and young daughter.
Mukwiilongo, a former MP and Swapo member, said he enjoyed a close relationship with Ras Sheehama because of their fathers’ friendship.
“His father was wealthy, but he still sent his children into exile to fight for the country. He was assassinated solely because of his support for Swapo. Yet Swapo neglected Ras Sheehama, whose legacy speaks for itself,” Mukwiilongo said.
Meagre earnings
He further claimed that the late musician was frustrated by Swapo’s decision to pay kwaito stars Gazza and The Dogg N$2.5 million each to campaign for the party in 2014, while his own pro-liberation songs went largely unrewarded.
“He called me very frustrated, saying he was excluded from that deal. He told me that whenever he performed at Swapo events, he would walk away with just N$10 000 to N$20 000. How can your father be killed in the name of Swapo and you get treated like this?” Mukwiilongo charged.
“Quote me on this: Ras Sheehama was killed by Swapo, in that sense. They should not suddenly express solidarity now. He was mistreated. The musicians they pay millions, what do they know about the liberation struggle?”
Mukwiilongo also recalled how David Sheehama bought vehicles for Swapo, including one used at the Ethitu camp in Angola under the leadership of the late Commander Zulu Nandenga. “He and my father even put money together to buy another vehicle for the party,” he said.
The opposition leader added: “Swapo must not pretend. Leave Ras Sheehama to us, the ordinary public, to put money together and bury him. We cared for him all along.”
Ras Sheehama went into exile in Angola in 1979 at the age of 12 due to his father’s pro-Swapo stance, which made life in their Ombalanhu home difficult.
Swapo secretary-general Sophia Shaningwa did not respond to a request for comment.
Leader of the Namibia Economic Freedom Fighters (NEFF) Epafras Mukwiilongo has accused Swapo of neglecting the late musician Ras Sheehama, despite the sacrifices his family made for the liberation struggle.
Sheehama, who died by suicide last week at the age of 59, was the son of the late businessman and freedom fighter David Enghali Sheehama. The elder Sheehama supported Swapo financially and logistically during the armed struggle, providing clothing, food and shelter to combatants of its military wing, PLAN.
After refusing attempts by the apartheid regime to lure him into the Bantustan administration, David Sheehama was assassinated by Koevoet members on 14 March 1980 while sleeping next to his pregnant wife and young daughter.
Mukwiilongo, a former MP and Swapo member, said he enjoyed a close relationship with Ras Sheehama because of their fathers’ friendship.
“His father was wealthy, but he still sent his children into exile to fight for the country. He was assassinated solely because of his support for Swapo. Yet Swapo neglected Ras Sheehama, whose legacy speaks for itself,” Mukwiilongo said.
Meagre earnings
He further claimed that the late musician was frustrated by Swapo’s decision to pay kwaito stars Gazza and The Dogg N$2.5 million each to campaign for the party in 2014, while his own pro-liberation songs went largely unrewarded.
“He called me very frustrated, saying he was excluded from that deal. He told me that whenever he performed at Swapo events, he would walk away with just N$10 000 to N$20 000. How can your father be killed in the name of Swapo and you get treated like this?” Mukwiilongo charged.
“Quote me on this: Ras Sheehama was killed by Swapo, in that sense. They should not suddenly express solidarity now. He was mistreated. The musicians they pay millions, what do they know about the liberation struggle?”
Mukwiilongo also recalled how David Sheehama bought vehicles for Swapo, including one used at the Ethitu camp in Angola under the leadership of the late Commander Zulu Nandenga. “He and my father even put money together to buy another vehicle for the party,” he said.
The opposition leader added: “Swapo must not pretend. Leave Ras Sheehama to us, the ordinary public, to put money together and bury him. We cared for him all along.”
Ras Sheehama went into exile in Angola in 1979 at the age of 12 due to his father’s pro-Swapo stance, which made life in their Ombalanhu home difficult.
Swapo secretary-general Sophia Shaningwa did not respond to a request for comment.
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