A number of mourners gathered at the Nkurenkuru Expo Hall in Nkurenkuru Kavango West to pay their last respects to the late founding President, Sam Nujoma.

The Nkurenkuru Expo Hall was filled with regional leadership, representatives from the various traditional authorities, veterans of the liberation struggle, former plan combatants and the general public. 

It was a ceremony filled with anecdotes about the impact that the late Founding President had on the lives of many Namibians. 

Nkurenkuru CEO, Petrus Sindimba read a tribute on behalf of Ambassador Heikki Ausiku and talked about how Ambassador Ausiku was called to State House in 1991. 

"I was shivering and thinking about what I had done to be summoned to State House. I was seated in a waiting room. When he came in, he greeted me, stood up again and came back with tea for me. Then he started with the message that he was going to withdraw me from the National Assembly and send me abroad as a diplomat to represent our country. Nujoma was a man who will never die in the figurative sense because his work and character will always be in Namibia, in our hearts and minds."

The Founding President was also an advocate of culture, and those in attendance say it was under his leadership that the body of the Council of Traditional Leaders was established. 

The Swapo Party Regional Coordinator in Kavango West, Elina Diparo, said the Founding President was a strong pillar and will be remembered as a remarkable leader who served with valour. 

The youth also had an opportunity to pay their tributes.

Kavango West Governor, Sirkka Ausiku has had the opportunity to work at the Founding President's office and described him as a good listener with a great sense of humour. 

"We are here to celebrate a life well lived. We cannot thank him enough, except to continue to address the socioeconomic challenges in our country and to be guided by his vision. Let's vow not to betray his memories and his sacrifices for our freedom. Let's uphold the values he stood for, that of unity of purpose, patriotism and nation-building."