The Chief of the |Gaiodaman Traditional Authority, Joseph Haraseb, was buried in Windhoek at the Pioneerspark Cemetery.
Haraseb died last month, aged 82.
Traditional leaders, family members, and representatives from various ǂNûkhoen clans paid tribute to the life and legacy of their leader.
His casket was adorned in his clan colours of red and black – a symbol of his heritage and leadership.
A lion symbol was placed alongside his casket, a deep-rooted gesture in ǂNûkhoen tradition.
The late Haraseb guided his people along the Omuramba-Omatako riverbed, from Outjo to the Waterberg Plateau.
Chief Haraseb was a member of the Constituent Assembly, which drafted the nation's constitution and advocated for the rights of his people in the formative years of the Republic.
Chief Dawid Gertze of the ||Haboben Traditional Authority remembered him to be a legend, adding that "He is the first Chief who was here before independence and when our country became independent. And when this country became independent, he was part of the drafting of the constitution, and today, because of him, we are Namibians. Because of your contributions, we can call ourselves Namibian, and the privileges we didn't have, we have, and these are the things you have left us with. I just want to tell the people that we have been left with an eternal legacy."
Gaob Ishmael Hendrix Witbooi reflected on the wisdom and leadership lessons he learnt from Chief Haraseb.
"Haraseb taught me many things; that's why his passing has touched me so much. That's why I am here today, and because I feel obliged to be here for his funeral. We share a deep friendship, and he's been my mentor for many years, especially when it comes to traditional and cultural leadership and if you have conflict in your home, what to do as a leader. Those were his teachings."
Among the traditional leaders in attendance was Gaos Juliane Gawa!nas from the |Khomanin and Chief Andrew Kgosiemang of the Batswana ba Namibia Traditional Authority from Omaheke.
Haraseb is remembered not only as a traditional leader but also as a nation-builder, a voice of wisdom, and a protector of culture and community.