The solemn procession carrying the remains of Namibia's Founding President passed through historically significant areas, including the Old Location, where the struggle for liberation began. For many elderly residents who were born and raised there, it was a deeply emotional moment, one that brought back memories of resilience, pain, and triumph.
The Old Location, once home to a thriving Black community, was systematically dismantled under colonial rule. The forced removals of the late 1950s saw thousands of residents displaced to Katutura, a place they initially rejected.
Among those who remember this struggle vividly is Ouma Dorothea ||Hoëses, a 90-year-old resident of Dolam who has witnessed firsthand the fight for social justice.
Born in Otjiwarongo, Ouma Dorothea moved to the Old Location as a child and later became one of Namibia's first maternity nurses, training alongside Theopoldine Kovambo Nujoma, the late founding President's wife.
She recalls the turmoil of December 1958, when Sam Nujoma and Clemens Kapuuo, then the owner of a general dealer shop, co-organized the resistance against the forced removals. Their leadership in the struggle led to their arrest and Nujoma's deportation to Ovamboland, marking a pivotal moment in the country's fight for independence.
"This war just broke loose; we were too close to the South African municipality building where the shooting started. It was the 10th of December when it happened, and that day, we ran for our lives; there were gunshots and bombs. It was the most terrifying day of our lives. We were maternity nurses delivering babies. I am Dorothea ||Hoëses, and there was Aletha Akwake."
For those such as elder Fedrieke Muenjo, who spoke to nbc News and lived through these events, the procession was more than just a tribute—it was a reminder of the resilience and sacrifices that paved the way for Namibia's freedom.
"When I came here, I came as a mourner who is mourning for my founding father and the father of the nation who brought independence. I came to witness where he will be buried and if he is dead."
As Ouma Fedrieke reflects on her journey, she remains a living testament to the nation's struggle together with others, an embodiment of perseverance, and a source of inspiration for future generations.