Staff Reporter
THE Ministry of International Relations and Cooperation has offered its sincere apology to Queen Martha Mwadinomho Kristian Nelumbu of the Oukwanyama Traditional Authority for a serious error during the State Funeral of late Ambassador Timothy Hadino Hishongwa at Eenhana on Saturday. The Queen was made to sit on a normal plastic chair while other dignitaries sat on luxurious couches.
According to Deputy Minister Jenelly Matundu, it was not intentional. “The Ministry of International Relations and Cooperation hereby formally renders a sincere apology to the Oukwanyama Queen, Meekulu Martha Mwadinomho Kristian Nelumbu,” she said in a statement on Monday.
She said that it was regrettable that the seating arrangements were not appropriate, which resulted in Meekulu Nelumbu being unintentionally placed on a normal plastic chair instead of an executive ceremonial chair as is customary. “This unfortunate incident has caused serious dismay among the mourners and the general public who followed the proceedings of the burial on various platforms,” said Matundu.
She further said that as the ministry responsible for State Protocol, they view the error in a very serious light. “We would like to offer our sincere apology to Meekulu and to the people of the Ohangwena Region,” she said, adding that the ministry is dealing with the matter internally and will take appropriate action against those responsible to ensure that such an incident does not occur again in the future.
Late Ambassador Hishongwa served the Namibian nation in various portfolios and was at his death one of Queen Nelumbu’s closest advisors and Senior Traditional councilor heading the Omhedi District of Oukwanyama.
