Africa-Press – Namibia. “I HAVE fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.”
That was the Bible-based theme of the memorial service of the late General Dumeni Salomon Hawala, held on Tuesday at his residence in Ohakweenyanga village, a short distance from the Ondangwa–Oshakati main road.
Hawala, a revered liberation hero and former Chief of the Namibian Defence Force (NDF), passed away on 11 August, eight days before his 89th birthday. President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah declared him a Namibian hero and accorded him a state funeral, which will take place at Ongwediva on Saturday.
The memorial service, organised by the military and former combatants, brought together senior NDF officers, ex-PLAN fighters, family, friends, and community members. Revolutionary songs filled the air as tributes were delivered by those who fought alongside him.
Mwiya Mwandingi, a PLAN veteran, described Hawala as a true hero who sacrificed his youth to liberate Namibia. “He will always be our hero no matter what people are saying; they can go ahead and speak whatever they want, but to us, he will remain our hero,” he said.
Mwandingi praised Hawala’s bravery, patriotism, and lifelong commitment to Namibia’s freedom. “His sacrifice will never be forgotten, and we are deeply grateful for his service. Hawala’s commitment and sacrifice for the freedom we continue to enjoy in Namibia is a legacy that will last forever,” he added.
War veteran Nepando Amupanda echoed these sentiments, thanking President Nandi-Ndaitwah for officially recognising Hawala as a hero. He described Hawala as a man of love and honesty, urging Namibia’s youth to emulate his character rather than focus solely on material wealth.
Hawala served as Deputy Commander of the People’s Liberation Army of Namibia (PLAN) during the liberation struggle, was appointed NDF Army Commander after independence, and led the NDF as Chief from 2000 until his retirement in 2006.
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