PM pays tribute to Raith

PRIME Minister Theo-Ben Gurirab has conveyed Government’s sympathies to the Raith family on the death of renowned businessman and hotelier, Juergen Raith.

Gurirab described the late Raith as one of the country’s most extraordinary and exceedingly successful entrepreneurs. Raith died on Thursday morning as he was descending Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania.He was in the company of three friends.An autopsy has revealed that Raith died of oedema of the lungs, heart and brain – commonly known as mountain sickness.”To meet the end of his youthful life just after reaching the zenith of Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania, just like he was sitting on top of his impressive and growing business career in Namibia,” Gurirab said in a statement.Raith, who would have turned 40 in October, was the owner of one of the country’s most prestigious hotels, the Heinitzburg Castle.”Juergen always had extreme sport challenges in his life,” his deeply traumatised wife Beate recalled last night.She said he was extremely fit and enjoyed athletic activity.Raith had difficulty breathing on the descent and collapsed in the arms of his best friend, who had flown out from Germany to join the climb.His wife was called shortly after his collapse but by that time Raith had already died.His body is due to arrive in Namibia tomorrow.A memorial service will be held at the Christuskirche in Windhoek on Friday.He is survived by his wife and three sons.Raith died on Thursday morning as he was descending Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania.He was in the company of three friends.An autopsy has revealed that Raith died of oedema of the lungs, heart and brain – commonly known as mountain sickness.”To meet the end of his youthful life just after reaching the zenith of Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania, just like he was sitting on top of his impressive and growing business career in Namibia,” Gurirab said in a statement.Raith, who would have turned 40 in October, was the owner of one of the country’s most prestigious hotels, the Heinitzburg Castle.”Juergen always had extreme sport challenges in his life,” his deeply traumatised wife Beate recalled last night.She said he was extremely fit and enjoyed athletic activity.Raith had difficulty breathing on the descent and collapsed in the arms of his best friend, who had flown out from Germany to join the climb.His wife was called shortly after his collapse but by that time Raith had already died.His body is due to arrive in Namibia tomorrow.A memorial service will be held at the Christuskirche in Windhoek on Friday.He is survived by his wife and three sons.