Africa-Press – Namibia. Lissony Njembo
OKAKARARA – Former Otjozondjupa governor and parliamentarian James Unomasa Uerikua and his son, Venturo, will be buried this Sunday at Otjiserandu in the Gam district of the Otjozondjupa region.
The duo died in a tragic road accident over the Easter weekend.
Family spokesperson Toucy Tjijombo announced that a candlelight memorial service was held yesterday in Katutura.
The service accommodated friends, family, learners and staff from Windhoek High School, where Venturo was a learner.
Today, another memorial service will take place at Parliament Gardens from 14h00 to 17h00. President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah is expected to attend, together with several speakers, including the German ambassador.
“We are doing this so that nobody will be left out, as we all know that not everyone will be able to travel to Gam,” said Tjijombo.
On Friday, the family will travel to Otjiserandu via Gobabis, passing through Omaueuozonjanda, Omujero waKatumba and Gam.
Epukiro constituency councillor Packy Pakarae has been engaged to assist with brief stops along the route to allow communities to pay their last respects.
“In the early hours of Sunday, we will lay our beloved Unomasa James Uerikua to rest at Otjiserandu in Gam, Otjozondjupa region,” she added.
Erari
Like in many parts of the country where the towering and omnipresent Uerikua once traversed, Namibians from all works of life have been holding memorial services in his honour. Okakarara is no different.
On Monday, mourners converged in large numbers at the Okakarara Trade Fair Centre to
pay their tributes.
Ahead of the memorial service, some mourners visited the accident scene along the Okakarara–Otjiwarongo (C22) road, where they erected a white cross in his remembrance.
Uerikua died at the scene of the accident, while his 14-year-old son succumbed to his injuries in Otjiwarongo.
Addressing mourners, Okakarara constituency councillor Uzeraije Kapika Tjaverua remembered crossing paths with Uerikua while working as a radio presenter at the NBC Otjiherero Radio Service. Through interviews conducted over the years, the two would later develop a friendship, Tjaverua reminisced.
“Through those interviews, I came to understand the commitment the late Uerikua had in serving the Namibian people,” said Tjaverua.
He added that Uerikua also motivated learners through the Ritja Career Fair, a foundation aimed at improving education standards among learners and supporting communities under the guidance of former governor Laura McLeod-Katjirua.
Tjaverua described Uerikua as a leader who served with strength, integrity and a deep sense of responsibility toward uplifting communities.
“Uerikua was a unifier amongst our community, and he understood that development must be inclusive, that governance must be people-centred and that his leadership was not distant or abstract; it was present, engaged and responsive, and he always looked for solutions.
He further conveyed condolences to the bereaved family.
“We share in your grief,” he said.
Uerikua is survived by his wife, three children and five siblings.
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