Maria David
THE community of Onawa village in the Oshana Region has laid to rest one of Northern Namibia’s eldest residents.
Paulus Haimbodi, who was originally from Ofenda Ya Naimbangu in the southern Cunene province of Angola, died peacefully at home on 18 January, at the age of 107.
He was laid to rest at Ongwediva on Tuesday.
Born in 1915, Haimbodi was only two years old when Oukwanyama King Mandume Ya Ndemufayo died and was 81-years old when the Royal House was restored in 1996.
He lived through natural calamities, pandemics, two world wars as well as Angola’s independence war and, later, the civil war.
As age caught up with him, his children who have settled in northern Namibia, decided to move him across the border to Onawa village in Ongwediva where they cared for him since 2012.
Those who knew him either from his days in Angola or the ten years at Onawa, say Haimbodi was a blessed man indeed. Even at 107 years, he could still see and hear clearly and did not lose a single tooth.
His good memory was equally intact. Moreover, at 107-years he still remembered all the names he had given to his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Oshana education director Hileni Amukana, also conveyed message of condolences to the Late Haimbodi’s family, saying the loss of their loved ones will bring about the kind if memories that trigger tears and laughter.
Amukana added that the fond memories of Tatekulu must bring them comfort during these hard times in life.
“May we all learn a lesson from the life-span that is well spent of Tatekulu Haimbodi and continue to uphold his legacy to pass the baton of his humbleness and kindness with confidence among one another,” Amukana said.
The Late Haimbodi is survived by 16 children, 45 grandchildren and 60 great-grandchildren.
