Hundreds mourn Ovaherero acting chief

OVER a hundred people gathered at the Commando hall in Katutura in Windhoek, to mourn the acting OvaHerero chief Tumbee Tjombe (66) who died yesterday morning.

A press release signed by Tjipena Keja, senior councillor of the Ovaherero Traditional Authority (OTA), states that the chief was hospitalised about a week ago at the Windhoek Central Hospital before he died of heart failure in the early hours of yesterday.

Tjombe’s death comes two weeks after he was confirmed the acting chief in place of the late Herero paramount chief Kuaima Riruako who died in June this year.

A member of the OTA for about 40 years, Tjombe, who was appointed chief in 1993, is the fourth OvaHerero chief to die this year after Riruako, Uaakutjo Kambazembi and Alex Kaverua UaKotjituuo.

A number of women wept at the Commando hall, while the men sat in a sombre mood. Two mourners at Commando hall, who spoke to The Namibian yesterday, said the death comes as a shock especially, since he is the fourth Ovaherero chief to die this year.

A student at the Polytechnic of Namibia, Bethold Ngarizemo, said the chief’s death teaches them the need to look at mechanisms and ways to take over and let the legacy of the chiefs continue.

Another mourner, Peyarukeni Tjituka, said at this stage all they can do is pray for the bereaved family and for the OvaHerero because “we have lost yet another chief”.

“All kings must go to heaven. What we can do here on earth is to pray,” said Tjituka.

Keja said funeral arrangements will be announced once a decision is reached. Tjombe is survived by his widow, Kaepere Tjombe, nine children, and several grandchildren.