Namibia's former representative to South Africa, Joshua  ||Hoëbeb, recalled the belief the late Founding President, Sam Nujoma, had in the capabilities of every Swapo leader in the process of nation-building.

nbc News' Blanche Goreses caught up with the retired politician after he paid his last respects to the fallen Namibian leader at the Nujoma family residence outside Windhoek.

The late Nujoma appointed ||Hoëbeb as his representative to South Africa from 1993 to 1995 with the specific task of ensuring the reintegration of Walvis Bay into Namibia after the country gained independence.

This was at the height of crucial negotiations for the return of the harbour town and its offshore islands.

The then-young politician recalls how he had initially communicated his reluctance owing to the complex nature of the issue, inexperience in diplomacy coupled with political dynamics in South Africa's transition to democracy.

However, the country's first President would not entertain ||Hoëbeb's disinclination and put him on the task alongside Namibia's negotiating team, headed by current President, Nangolo Mbumba, as the chair, deputised by Petrus Damaseb, now Deputy Chief Justice.

||Hoëbeb looks back at the guidance provided by the late Founding President, as one that shaped many decisive actions of many in national and Party leadership.

He was also the Swapo Party's first governor of the Kunene Region from 2010 to 2015 after the Regional Council's Act was amended for governors to be appointed by the president.