Erongo residents convened in numbers at Walvis Bay to pay their last respects to the late Founding President Dr. Sam Nujoma.

Hundreds of mourners from the Erongo and Kunene regions flocked to the Kuisebmond stadium where the memorial service took place.

Many others who could not make it participated in the sombre event, standing along the streets during the procession from the airport to the stadium.

Representing the chief mourner, veteran of the liberation struggle Ben Amadhila described the support from the residents as impressive.

He narrated the bitter fight that Nujoma and many others endured to get Walvis Bay back from the then-colonial regime of South Africa.

He said it was Nujoma's strategies and relations with South Africa's ANC that ensured that Namibia won back Walvis Bay without the firing of any bullets.

The veteran stressed that the harbour town was a major bone of contention during the struggle, and it pained Nujoma that it could not be freed like the rest of Namibia in 1990.

Representing the family, one of Nujoma's grandchildren, Winnie Mukupuki, encouraged the youth to pull up their socks and fight for economic emancipation with their minds and skills in honour of the Nujoma.

Other speakers included former Arandis Mayor Risto Kapendah who represented all the PLAN fighters at the harbour town; former ambassador Samuel Nuuyoma; and Swapo Party Co-ordinator Daniel Muhuura.

The Erongo governor, in his address, said Nujoma was not just a leader but a citizen of the Erongo Region who found both silence and beauty in Namibia's coastline.

The late Founding President's remains will lie in state until tomorrow morning when he will be airlifted to Keetmanshoop for the 7th regional memorial service.