Traditional memorial for Omukwaniilwa

A traditional memorial service for the late Omukwaniilwa Immanuel Kauluma Elifas, who died on 26 March at the age of 86, will take place tomorrow at the Olukonda Elcin parish.

This will be followed by a state memorial service at Onamungundo on Friday, before the state funeral near the Nakambale Museum at Olukonda on Saturday.

Vice-president Nangolo Mbumba will be the main speaker at tomorrow's memorial service, while President Hage Geingob will be the main speaker at the state memorial and funeral.

Former presidents Sam Nujoma and Hifikepunye Pohamba are also expected to attend.

This was announced by traditional authority senior headman Naeman Amalwa.

Amalwa called on the Ondonga community and other interested persons to attend tomorrow's memorial services.

“The memorial service on Friday is an official event during, with many speeches expected to be delivered in English. Tomorrow's memorial service is traditional and many of the speeches will be mainly in Oshiwambo,” Amalwa said.

“Many of the speakers at tomorrow's memorial are also not on the state programme list, so people must also make time to attend this memorial service.”

No mention is made on the traditional and state memorial programmes of someone speaking on behalf of the Ondonga Traditional Authority.

Commonly known as King Kauluma (KK), Elifas was the one of the longest-serving leaders of the Ondonga kingdom, having ascended to the throne in August 1975. He was the 18th king of Ondonga.

Elifas served for nearly 44 years as the king of the Ondonga traditional community. He also served for many years as chairperson of the Council of Traditional Leaders.

President Geingob accorded Elifas a state funeral because of his role as chairman of the Council of Traditional Leaders since its inception in 1997.

ILENI NANDJATO