Erastus Uutoni, the Minister of Urban and Rural Development, described the late Founding President Dr. Sam Nujoma's legacy as a beacon of hope for the current and future generations of the country and beyond.
The memorial held at the Katima Mulilo Sports Complex on Sunday, saw thousands of residents from the town and around the region come to pay their last respects, a night vigil was held in his honour as choirs from various churches sang all night to celebrate Nujoma's life.
Uutoni, who represented Chief Mourner President Nangolo Mbumba, during the Founding President's regional memorial in Zambezi, said the late Nujoma's vision for Namibia went beyond liberation, to realizing the dream of a one Namibia-one- nation for future generations.
"Our departed Founding President and father of our nation dedicated his life to the noble fight for freedom and independence, he strongly believed in enforced unity, peace, reconciliation and shared development and prosperity for all inhabitants of our beloved motherland, he dedicated himself to these noble ideas during his leadership of the liberation struggle under the south West African peoples organization Swapo from 1960 as-well-as in an independent Republic of Namibia during his presidency from 1990 to the year 2005, and up to his last day on earth."
In his address, the Governor for Zambezi Region, Lawrence Sampofu recalled how the late president ensured that Namibia remained out of bounds for enemy forces, even after the liberation struggle.
"There came an attack in Zambezi Region by the so-called Caprivi Liberation Army (CLA) of Mishake Muyongo. The Commander-in-Chief, the Founding Father, commanded and quickly deployed the NDF, which thwarted the Muyongo gang and uprising in a few days and eliminated many of them. Let there be prosperity, peace and stability prevail for the sake of economic development because where there's no peace, there will be no development and prosperity."
The four traditional authorities in Zambezi also gave a joint message in which they described the late Nujoma as a revolutionary liberator who left behind his wisdom, deeds and experience.
Reading the joint message on behalf of the Ngambelas forum, the former Permanent Secretary for the Ministry of Education, Alfred Ilukena, said his unparalleled knowledge of the country's history, his tenacity, dedication, determination and leadership style remain part of Nujoma's legacy for years to come.
The forum noted how deserving Nujoma is in forming part of the list of heroes and heroines and is equally celebrated as such.