Topnaars mourn Chief Kooitjie

Education minister Katrina Hanse-Himarwa has described the late Chief Seth Kooitjie (65) of the Topnaar community as a visionary leader. Chief Kooitjie died of an asthma attack early on Friday morning en route to the hospital. Hanse-Himarwa visited the house of the late chief to pay her respects to his widow and family. Hanse-Himarwa said she had received the news of his death on her way to Walvis Bay to inaugurate six new classrooms built by the local branch of the Namibia Chamber of Commerce and Industry (NCCI). “He was an exemplary leader who had his people's needs at heart. He was one of the leaders I looked up to and admired. His death is an enormous loss to the country,” she said. The minister was accompanied by the chairperson of the Erongo regional council, Hafeni Ndemula, mayor of Walvis Bay Immanuel Wilfred, and the chairperson of the NCCI Walvis Bay branch, Johnny Doeseb. An urgent meeting of Nama traditional leaders was expected to take place on Saturday. According to Topnaar community spokesperson Colin April the funeral arrangements will be announced in due course. Kooitjie succeeded his late father, Esau Saneseb Kooitjie, as Topnaar chief in 1980. He also served as the chairperson of the Nama Traditional Leaders Association until his death. He is survived by his wife, Diane Kooitjie, three children and five grandchildren.LEANDREA LOUW

Topnaars mourn Chief Kooitjie

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Namibian Sun 2026-10-12

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Topnaars mourn Chief Kooitjie

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Namibian Sun 2026-10-12

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