Nghimtina laid to rest with military honours

Former Cabinet minister Erkki Nghimtina was laid to rest with full military honours at the Eenhana Memorial Shrine in the Ohangwena Region on Saturday.

Nghimtina, who died at his Edundja village home on 8 February at the age of 78, was honoured by senior government officials, liberation struggle veterans and community members who gathered to bid farewell to the veteran politician and soldier.

Among those in attendance were Vice-President Lucia Witbooi, former president Hifikepunye Pohamba, Swapo Party secretary general Sophia Shaningwa, First Gentleman Epaphras 'Ndenga' Ndaitwah, service chiefs and several Cabinet ministers.

Emotions ran high as a 17-gun salute echoed across the shrine while the late minister’s casket was lowered into the grave, marking a final farewell to a figure widely recognised for his role in both Namibia’s liberation struggle and post-independence governance.

Speaking during a memorial service held on Friday, President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah — in a speech read on her behalf by Witbooi — described Nghimtina as a courageous leader whose life was defined by an unwavering commitment to serving the nation and the Swapo Party.

Nandi-Ndaitwah said Nghimtina was among those “shoulders — firm, steady and devoted to the cause of Namibia” and that he executed every responsibility entrusted to him with humility and selfless dedication. She noted that his contribution helped shape the country’s democratic institutions.

“When the nation called, he answered without hesitation. In 1974, he went into exile to join the liberation struggle, driven by a single and unwavering purpose: to see Namibia free, united and at peace with itself,” she said.

She added that Nghimtina was not only a soldier of the liberation struggle but, “from the battlefields of the struggle to the boardrooms of government, he remained guided by one simple principle: that Namibia must be peaceful, stable and prosperous for all her children”.

Pohamba said Nghimtina’s impact on Namibia’s development remains immeasurable, recalling their time working together in government, including efforts to advance key infrastructure projects such as the Windhoek–Okahandja dual carriageway.

Shaningwa described the late leader as a loyal and disciplined party member whose legacy will remain firmly embedded in Swapo’s history.

Nghimtina later served in the People's Liberation Army of Namibia and the Namibian Defence Force before transitioning into political leadership. He held several senior government portfolios, including defence, mines and energy, works and transport, and labour minister.

He is survived by his widow, Ester Ndatala Nghidimbwa, and 18 children.