Nanyemba’s remains finally come home

Nearly 31 years after his mysterious death, the remains of revered Peter Eneas Nanyemba will arrive in the country from Angola, along with those of four others who died during Namibia’s liberation struggle. This was confirmed yesterday by government, who said President Hifikepunye Pohamba will welcome the remains at Hosea Kutako International Airport in the presence of the full guard of honour. Nanyemba died in a crash on April 1, 1983 in Lubango, Angola when his vehicle collided with an oncoming truck. He was one of three casualties in the accident and there were some survivors. The other remains coming from Angola on Friday are those of Augustus Nghaamwa, Homateni Kalwenya, Natalia Mvula and Isack Shikongo. Apart from their remains, a further four are expected to be repatriated from Zambia and South Africa. However, it is not clear at this stage whether these four will arrive on Friday. “I can confirm that the remains of some of our people, who are buried in South Africa, Angola and Zambia will be repatriated back home. Those of Peter Nanyemba will also come home,” said Veteran’s Affairs Minister Dr Nickey Iyambo. “The remains were exhumed and placed in the custody of the governments of those countries, waiting on the Head of State to set a date to receive them back home.” He added Pohamba decided to welcome the remains the day after Namibians celebrate Workers’ Day. Nanyemba left Namibia in 1962 to join Swapo in exile. He served as the Swapo representative in East Africa and was posted in Dar-es-Salaam, Tanzania. During the Tanga Consultative Conference, he was elected Secretary of Defence, a position he held until his tragic death. Yesterday, former Namibian Defence Force (NDF) commander, Lieutenant-General Martin Shalli, described Nanyemba as a great man, who “made a lot of sacrifices during the struggle”. “I feel great that his remains and those of others buried abroad in unmarked graves are returning for a proper burial,” said Shalli. Nanyemba also enjoys the admiration and respect of Regional and Local Government Minister Charles Namoloh, who called him a “gallant son of the Land of the Brave, who selflessly contributed to the liberation struggle”. During an earlier tribute, Namoloh indicated that Nanyemba was instrumental in arranging training and equipment for PLAN - the military wing of Swapo. “He could therefore be referred to as a gladiator in the Roman era, a cavalry commander in the Napoleonic campaigns, a brilliant great commander of the Von Nguyen Giap of Vietnam and a Winston Churchill character in war,” Namoloh said in 2000. He continued: “A great political and military leader... a man of great respect, integrity and nation-building. Who will doubt the bravery and brilliance of Peter Eneas Nanyemba Ndilimani lyomukunda W’amupolo?” Iyambo said he was not certain whether the remains from South Africa and Zambia will be here on Friday as well. “Out of all the remains two belong to female PLAN fighters and the rest were of male fighters,” Iyambo said. Nanyemba grew up in the North. He herded cattle, while at the same time struggling to attend school. He was working in Walvis Bay, before went into exile. It was in the coastal where it is said he was fully exposed to the harshness of the colonial and apartheid system. WINDHOEK ELVIS MURARANGNDA