Namibians urged to remain united for Maxuilili’s vision

Vice president Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah says the Namibian youth have inherited a rich history from heroes like the late Nathanael Maxuilili and others, a history built on the strong foundation of patriotism, love for freedom and national unity.

She says their legacy should be kept alive through the dedication to build the country by contributing to the socio-economic development of the country.

“We need to ensure that our youth receive quality education to enable them to acquire the right and requisite knowledge and skills. We need to produce enough food to feed our people. The most outstanding sectors where we have achieved remarkable and undisputed successes in the short span of 34 years, something comrade Maxuilili will be proud of, are the areas of education, health, agriculture, water, electricity and communication among others” she says. Nandi-Ndaitwah was speaking at a memorial event at Walvis Bay on Saturday that celebrated the legacy of the late Nathanael Maxuilili who died in a road accident at Walvis Bay on 23 June 1999.

Maxuilili, who was a former member of the political bureau of the central committee of Swapo and member of parliament, was described as a giant of Namibia’s liberation struggle that tackled the fight of the apartheid colonialism fearlessly.

“His entire political journey was spent here at Walvis bay, where he was sentenced to house arrest in order to prevent him from carrying out his political activities for Swapo. There is a possibility that comrade Maxuilili could be the longest house arrest prisoner, but he never gave up the fight for the motherland. He was highly inspired with the spirit of freedom that he let nothing and nobody stand in his way.

“For this, he paid a heavy price through harassment, frequent imprisonment, beatings and long periods away from his family and children. The spirit of a lesser man would long have been broken, but not comrade Nathaniel Maxuilili,” she said.

Panelists who associated with Maxuilili described him as selfless, with a vision of all Namibians benefitting from independence equally.
“The living standards of the majority of Namibians have improved. However, we should not take this freedom for granted,” said former parliamentarian Alpheus Naruseb.

“No matter the differences among ourselves, let us not get drunk of this independence and rights. The country needs all of us. Let us unite, stand together and build up this country,” said former parliamentarian Ben Amathila.

“He used to remind us that if you have food on the table, it is enough for all . . . He walked and stayed among us, because he did not want inequality. He had a philosophy of treating everyone the same, “ said Ruusa Shipiki.

“Many young people are losing hope. They don’t get jobs. They are still dependent. Yes, life changed since independence, but there is also a change that brought tension. Some of us become too empowered and some are left behind. There is nothing as painful as seeing someone so rich while you are so poor.

Those who are empowered should not forget those who are socially disadvantaged. Otherwise we betray the aim of the revolution.” said former prime minister Nahas Angula.Friends and family also paid respect to Maxuilili at the Kuisebmond cemetery on Sunday.