Ondangwa: A number of Cassinga survivors were present at the Andimba Toivo ya Toivo airport in Ondangwa Thursday morning to await the arrival of the remains of Founding President Sam Nujoma.

According to Namibia Press Agency, the first of seven regional memorial services for Nujoma will take place at Etunda village in the Okahao Constituency, approximately 100 kilometres from Ondangwa, on Thursday. Nujoma, who was born at Etunda on 12 May 1929, was a revered figure in the nation.

The 77-year-old Darius ‘Mbolondondo’ Shikongo, a former People’s Liberation Army of Namibia (PLAN) combatant and commander of the Cassinga camp, expressed his grief over the loss of the Founding Father. ‘We are deeply hurt by this loss. I do not think we will ever have someone of his calibre again,’ he stated.

Shikongo also conveyed his appreciation for the nationwide memorial services that allow the public to honor Nujoma’s legacy from Thursday until the following week. He reminisced about his good relationship with Nujoma during the liberation struggle, mentioning that Nujoma would invite him to Luanda in Angola for meetings.

Despite losing contact over the years, Shikongo noted his pride in witnessing the work Nujoma accomplished for the people of Namibia. Founding President Sam Nujoma passed away in Windhoek on 08 February 2025.