THEO-BEN Gurirab was a son of the soil of the small town of Usakos in the Erongo region, and about 500 people attended a memorial service in his honour yesterday.
“He is from here, and he had to go to help Namibia become what she is today. Now, we receive him again one more time before he has to go,” said Matthew //Gowaseb, who was master of ceremonies.
Gurirab died last Saturday at the age of 80. A more intimate memorial service was arranged for him at Usakos, where a visit was made to his family home before moving to the Jubilate Lutheran Church.
Two more memorial services will take place in Windhoek today and tomorrow, and then the burial at Heroes Acre on Saturday.
His body was flown by helicopter to Usakos where it was first received by a huge crowd at an open field next to his sister’s house, before the hearse was moved to the church.
At the service, several speakers paid tribute to Gurirab. The event was also attended by agriculture minister Alpheus !Naruseb and deputy prime minister Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah.
Mourners led by his widow, Joan Guriras, and children included traditional leaders, local and regional authority officials as well as relatives and friends.
Many remembered how Gurirab grew up and “ran in the hills and through the fields” in the area around Usakos, where he also went to school before going to study to become a teacher at the Augustineum Teachers College at Okahandja. He was a teacher before going into exile for his “dream” for an independent Namibia.
The stalwart played a key role in the independence of Namibia, the creation of the first post-independence government, and negotiated the integration of Walvs Bay into Namibia in the early 1990s.
Samson Tjongarero, who spoke on behalf of the community and is a relative from Gurirab’s grandfather’s side, said: “He was a great man, who had wisdom and understanding and respect. We, as family, thank God for this blessing.”
Headman Stanislous /Kheib of the !Oe ≠Gan said Gurirab was part of the /Uikrens community, which is part of the !Oe ≠Gan, and cared so much for the traditional authority that he created a fund for the rehabilitation of the cemetery, while also being patron of the Dibasen Secondary School rebuilding project.
“A monument should be erected for him there,” /Kheib proposed.
He added that Gurirab was also concerned by the divisions within the Damara community, which he (Gurirab) said was due to “narrow-minded leaders who were childish, and too many kings and no followers. The Damara want leaders, not imposters”.
Youth leaders also hailed Gurirab for his influence and inspiration to the Namibian youth.
“As youth, we should keep the legacy of Gurirab burning,” one leader said.
Nandi-Ndaitwah said she often relied on Gurirab’s advice on national matters, adding that “he has made me what I am today”.
“We bid farewell to one of our heroes – of our nation and of Usakos,” she added.
Most of Nandi-Ndaitwah’s speech dealt with Gurirab’s political influence, especially in foreign relations, and in his other political roles after independence.
“He did not only belong to Namibia, but to Africa and the world, and condolences have been pouring in from all over. His contribution is indisputable,” she said, adding that Gurirab had wanted prosperity, peace and freedom for all people.
The service was concluded with a request that the Walvis Bay airport be renamed in honour of Theo-Ben Gurirab.
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