Mueller and Hellwig laid to rest

More than 200 people said goodbye to the managing director of the Institute for Mining Technology (NIMT), Eckhart Mueller, and his deputy, Heimo Hellwig, on Tuesday. Mueller and Hellwig were shot dead at the entrance of the renowned training facility at Arandis on 15 April. By yesterday afternoon the police had not provided any new information about the murder investigation.At Tuesday's memorial service Mueller was described as a great man and a father to many Namibians. He was also praised for his hard work, discipline and punctuality.“As you all know, Mr Mueller always said 'ilonga, ilonga, ilonga' (work, work, work) and never 'kapena ilonga' (no work),” said NIMT principal Ralph Bussel. He described Mueller and Hellwig as people who “had an incredible love for NIMT and education and had a very high standard on all levels”. “They were murdered by hateful culprits. Two people were destroyed who believed only in quality,” he added.Former parliamentarian Anton von Wietersheim said there has been a decline in mutual respect and moral values in Namibia.“This heinous assassination has not only brought immense pain and suffering to the family, but also to the education of Namibia,” he said.“The questions of why and why are tormenting our minds. We have to send a strong signal that there is no justification for taking a human life.”Even Germany sent its sincere condolences, said the German ambassador to Namibia, Matthias Schlaga.He said he was deeply shocked and appalled by the murder. Schlaga recalled that Mueller had brought together numerous German-speaking organisations and was particularly committed to promoting German culture in Namibia. “His students will certainly lovingly remember him,” he said.Former German ambassador Egon Kochanke, who presented the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany to Mueller 10 years ago, also sent a message of condolence, which was read out during the memorial service.“If Namibia had more people like Eckhart Mueller 29 years ago, the country would be in an entirely different position,” said Tim Parkhouse, the secretary-general of the Namibian Employers' Federation (NEF). “To describe Mueller as being dedicated would be putting it mildly,” he added. Like many speakers before him, Parkhouse said Mueller always described all NIMT students as his children and as the future of Namibia.“We owe it to him that his legacy lives on,” he said.There were more than 20 speakers at the memorial service.Among them were Raimo Naanda of the NIMT board of trustees; Jerry Beukes, acting director of the Namibian Training Authority (NTA); Franz Gertze, managing director of the Namibian Qualifications Authority (NQA); Percy McCallum, chairman of the board of trustees of the Uranium Federation (NUA); Hilifa Mbako, first vice-president of the Chamber of Mines; Mark Dawe, managing director of the B2Gold gold mine; Frederik Andinde, a domestic worker employed by Mueller; and former NIMT student Nicolias Shikongo. Mueller's four children, Richard, Siegfried, Herrmann and Dietlinde, delivered the eulogy. ERWIN LEUSCHNER

Mueller and Hellwig laid to rest

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Namibian Sun 2025-09-17

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Mueller and Hellwig laid to rest

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Namibian Sun 2025-09-17

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