Geingob describes Shimwefeleni as a true patriot
In a speech read on his behalf, President Hage Geingob stated that Shimwefeleni joined the liberation struggle in 1959 under the Owamboland People’s Organisation, the forerunner to Swapo. He became a member of Swapo at its formation in 1960, went into exile in 1963 when he received his first military training at Kongwa, Tanzania the same year and further…
EENHANA, 14 MAY (NAMPA) – A stalwart and veteran of the national liberation struggle, Colonel (Rtd) David Hamunime Shimwefeleni was buried under a State funeral at Eenhana Shrine in the Ohangwena Region on Friday.
Shimwefeleni died on 26 April due to illness in the Oshakati Intermediate Hospital at the age of 81. He was one of the survivors of the battle of Omugulugwombashe in the Omusati Region, where Swapo launched its armed liberation struggle on 26 August 1966.
In a speech read on his behalf, President Hage Geingob stated that Shimwefeleni joined the liberation struggle in 1959 under the Owamboland People’s Organisation (OPO), the forerunner to Swapo.
He became a member of Swapo at its formation in 1960, went into exile in 1963 when he received his first military training at Kongwa, Tanzania the same year and further training in Egypt and the former Soviet Union (Russia).
Geingob described Shimwefeleni as a man of great character and immense bravery, who will be remembered as being amongst those patriots who were present at the commencement of the struggle for Namibia’s independence.
“He was a pioneer, a man of military pedigree who, with his compatriots, helped pave the way forward for many young Namibian men and women who chose to follow the arduous path of armed struggle,” explained Geingob.
According to the Head of State, Shimwefeleni gave selfless service to Namibia.
“In times of war and in times of peace, in times of oppression and in times of freedom, our gallant son, father and comrade exemplified the dignity and stature of a true patriot,” added Geingob.
Shimwefeleni is one of the former political prisoners at Robben Island, South Africa, following his arrest in 1966 after the battle of Omugulugwombashe.
He was released from Robben Island in May 1984 and in 1985 went back into exile in Angola. Upon his return to Namibia in 1989 he joined the Namibian Defence Force (NDF) in 1990 as a Corporal and retired as Colonel in 2001.
Shimwefeleni is also one of the survivors of the battle of Ondeshifiilwa village in the Ohangwena Region’s Engela Constituency on 01 April 1989, when he was shot and injured by the forces of the apartheid colonial government.
(NAMPA)
NN/PS/HP