Axali Doëseb laid to rest

Namibian national anthem composer Axali Doëseb was buried in the Pionierspark Cemetery in Windhoek on Saturday during a ceremony presided over by Evangelical Lutheran Church in the Republic of Namibia (ELCRN) bishop Sageus /Keib.

The 2014 Namibia Music Awards lifetime achievement award winner was conferred a state funeral by president Hage Geingob.

In attendance were vice-president Nangolo Mbumba, prime minister Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila, chief justice Peter Shivute, deputy speaker of the National Assembly Loide Kasingo, minister of industrialisation and trade Lucia Iipumbu, Witbooi Traditional Authority chief Hendrik Ismael Witbooi, Damara chief Justus //Garoëb and chief of the Namibian Defence Force Martin Pinehas.

The life of the late Doëseb was celebrated through church choirs, a brass concert and memorial services at four different churches around the city in the past week.

Doëseb (68) died on 27 October after a 55 year career as a prolific composer, musical arranger and performing artist.

The music tributes started at Beth-El Parish in Katutura last Monday, with at least four choirs engaging in an evening of praise.

According Pieter Hoakhaob, “It was a beautiful evening of singing and celebration. There were also very light moments when people spoke about the impulsive character of the late Axali. Peta Karon led the speeches while I also spoke about my own experiences.”

“During the 1997 NBC Music Makers Competition, Willie Mbuende and I could not decide on the theme song of the competition and Axali just walked to the keyboard and started to play a song and told us that it was going to be the theme song of the event.”
Hoakhaob, head of department at the College of the Arts, said Doëseb wrote a Christmas oratorio (musical), about the birth of Jesus Christ that he was due to perform during the festive season, with rehearsals at the Christuskirche due to begin shortly before Doëseb’s untimely death.

On Tuesday, the Tanidare Parish hosted the brass bands.

The Inner City Parish in Windhoek West, where Doëseb was a pianist during the Sunday mass, held a memorial service on Wednesday, while another memorial service was scheduled to take place at the Ephesians/Macedonia Parish in Katutura yesterday.

The Ugly Creatures were initially planning to stage a live performance for Doëseb, backed by various bands and artists, on Doëseb’s birthday on 26 November, but due to the unavailability of venues around the city, a new date and venue will be announced soon, said band spokesperson Heloi //Hoabeb.

Okahandja-born Doëseb was an instrumental initiator of the renowned Ugly Creatures at Martin Luther High School in 1973.
“His lifelong dedication to music, empowerment and genuine desire for equality and continuous development was second to none, said
//Hoabeb.

“Axali coached and mentored countless old and young musicians, groups and individuals. He was undoubtedly happiest when composing and remained an impactful, incomparable genius and intellectual giant in global Lutheran church music, particularly choral, brass band, symphony orchestral and the recreation of new liturgy for the ELCRN.”

Doëseb also composed 22 school anthems, the last of which was for St Barnabas Primary School in Katutura, which recently celebrated its 100th anniversary.

The former head of music of the Namibia Broadcasting Corporation was also a competent judge at numerous music competitions.

“Axali was an experienced mentor, a devoted friend and an adviser to many. He remained steadfast during the turbulent and challenging political periods in Namibia’s history and beyond and proved himself a trusted and loyal Swapo cadre.

“In the annals of Namibia’s history, Axali will always be remembered as the composer of the Namibian national anthem,” said Doëseb’s brother, guitarist Baby Doëseb.