'On 11 December, he lost his chains'

“These are never easy moments when we are forced to accompany a comrade on his final journey, towards his eternal resting place; we will always fail to make peace with death. Our only consolation is that our comrade, whom we have brought here to rest amongst his fellow illustrious heroes and heroines, shall no longer toil in the struggle of life.”

These were the words of President Hage Geingob this morning at Heroes’ Acre, just south of the capital, as struggle icon Petrus Iilonga was laid to rest.

“We thank you, son of the Namibian soil, child of Etilyasa village, for a life well-lived, in service of your family, countrymen and -women.”

Geingob said that when he recalled Iilonga, he thought of the Marxist mantra, “Workers of the world unite, you have nothing to lose but your chains”.

He described Iilonga as a man who dedicated his life to work, in order to promote shared prosperity, a people-centred democracy, a strong, healthy, safe and economically sound workforce, and a united and peaceful Namibia.

“His work ended on 11 December 2018, the day he lost his chains, no longer bound by earthly labour, but now confounded to the heavens and eternal peace.”

Geingob told mourners that to honour Iilonga, Namibians must commit themselves to build a better society.

“Let us build a society in which the propensity to share supersedes the need for self-enrichment. Let us build a society in which our workers are treated with appreciation and where they are given an opportunity to improve their economic welfare.”





YANNA SMITH

PHOTO: ELLANIE SMIT