Nandi-Ndaitwah mourns gentle giant Savva

President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah has joined the Walvis Bay community in mourning the loss of one of its most cherished figures, John Savva, the veteran entrepreneur, developer, and philanthropist whose generosity and integrity helped shape the town’s identity for more than half a century. Savva, who was 87, passed away on Saturday afternoon, leaving behind a legacy of service, enterprise, and humility that touched communities far beyond the Erongo coast.President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah described Savva as “a loyal son and bridge-builder whose legacy of hard work, humility, and service will be remembered for generations.”She said his passing marked the loss of a man who stood as “a pillar of the Walvis Bay business community” and whose dedication to both economic development and social upliftment had strengthened Namibia’s bonds with its international partners.“Through his enterprises and civic efforts, he helped create jobs, supported community initiatives, and built ties between Namibia, Cyprus and Greece," the President said.She added that Savva believed deeply in Namibia's story of independence, unity and progress — his life embodied the ideals of nation-building and solidarity. Deeply investedWalvis Bay mayor Trevino Forbes echoed those sentiments, describing Savva as “a pillar of the Walvis Bay community, a man whose presence was felt across business and civic life”.“He was deeply invested in the town’s progress and had a genuine love for its people. He supported countless community initiatives, often quietly, and treated everyone with respect and generosity,” Forbes said. Forbes said Savva’s ventures created jobs, strengthened local suppliers, and helped lay the foundations of Walvis Bay’s economic stability. “Even the iconic palm trees that welcome visitors into Walvis Bay are part of his legacy. He showed that business success and social responsibility can go hand in hand. His story will continue to inspire entrepreneurs to invest in their communities,” he added. Pillar of strengthThe Walvis Bay Namibia Chamber of Commerce and Industry president, Johny Johnson Doeseb, described his death as “the end of an era for the business fraternity”, saying Savva was a pillar of strength, a mentor to many, and an unwavering advocate for business growth and community development.Doeseb said Savva even provided personal collateral and surety when the NCCI Walvis Bay branch purchased its office property.According to Doeseb, Savva, who chaired the NCCI Walvis Bay branch for 25 years, played a central role in establishing the Walvis Bay Business Chamber. "He championed SME empowerment, youth entrepreneurship, and public–private collaboration. “His leadership was defined by humility, discipline, and mentorship,” Doeseb said. “He embodied true servant leadership.”Integrity and trustBeyond business, Savva was Cyprus’ honorary consul in Namibia, a position that reflected his reputation for integrity and trust. His influence extended into diplomacy, philanthropy, and national development, where his counsel was valued by government and community leaders alike.In a 2014 interview with this reporter, Savva summed up his philosophy with words that captured his moral compass.“Those who earn money easily and dishonestly will also lose it easily.” He often stressed that “money must never define your personality,” and that hard work, discipline, and integrity were the proper measures of success.He shared his life with his wife Roulla Savva, his lifelong partner in business and philanthropy. “To choose the best girl in the world to be my wife, Roulla, was my biggest success that no money can buy,” he said in the same interview. Together they supported schools, churches, senior citizens’ programmes, and social causes in Walvis Bay — never seeking the spotlight, always focused on helping others.TributesMeanwhile, tributes flooded social media over the weekend.Edward du Toit wrote, “We are extremely grateful and privileged to have fostered lasting friendship and close personal relations. Both Pappa and Mamma Savva are our role models.”Mia Timothy added, “A person’s true greatness is measured by their contribution and positive impact on others, not by their wealth.”Long-time acquaintance Milton Pitt recalled, “He loaned me start-up capital for a project 25 years ago when nobody would. I paid it back in three months and he refused any interest. I never forgot that. A big tree has fallen.”Daniel Muuhura, Swapo’s regional coordinator for Erongo, said the news sent “a shock wave through the region.” He recalled spending the previous day with Savva discussing local issues.“He was fine. Just to hear that he’s no more, it was an extraordinary shock,” he said.Humble beginningsSavva’s journey began more than 55 years ago when he arrived in Namibia and started from humble beginnings. Over time, he built a thriving business empire that helped define Walvis Bay’s commercial landscape. His developments — Afrodite Beach, the Atlantic Hotel, and Venus Supermarket — became landmarks of coastal entrepreneurship. Yet, despite his success, he remained a man of the people: approachable, generous, and deeply committed to his community.He envisioned Walvis Bay as Namibia’s economic gateway, constantly reminding others that progress must be rooted in compassion.“The best way to honour Mr Savva’s memory,” Mayor Forbes said, “is to continue building on the foundations he helped lay — by fostering collaboration between public and private sectors and nurturing a spirit of community.”John Savva is survived by his wife, Roulla, and their family. The family has requested privacy at this time.

Nandi-Ndaitwah mourns gentle giant Savva

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Namibian Sun 2026-11-02

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Nandi-Ndaitwah mourns gentle giant Savva

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Namibian Sun 2026-11-02

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