By Eliaser Ndeyanale
VETERAN diplomat Tuliameni Kalomoh on Friday launched a major attack on the late Hidipo Hamutenya’s critics saying they continue to ‘engage in a peculiar search for the negatives they believe are important to their unrelenting efforts’.
Describing Hamutenya as a political giant and sharp intellect whose life was full of detractors; Kalomoh also said Hamutenya was a man who was loyal to his country despite being hated by some within Swapo political circles.
“Swapo was not just in Hidipo’s blood veins, Swapo was his blood,” he said.
In a hard hitting statement delivered at the memorial service of Hamutenya, the retired veteran ambassador made it clear that those who hated Hamutenya while he lived might continue to hold on to their views of him, even when his mortal remains were laid rest. “They will continue to engage in a weird search for the negatives they believe are important to their unrelenting efforts even against the dead. Many slanderous reports have been published by the likes of African Confidential Magazine against Hidipo, his character and what he stood for.
“But nothing came close to the most virulent emails published in the mid-2000s under the pseudonym ‘Nghifitikeko’ and other detractors.”
He further told hundreds of mourners that Hamutenya was a sincere, modest Namibian patriot and a dedicated servant who did not claim his true victories.
“And no matter how some thought or what they said about him, the only shield to Hidipo’s legacy is his rectitude, the sincerity of his actions.
“There is no dispute that Hidipo left a lasting legacy. At 77 years, Hidipo Hamutenya’s life was not only reasonably long, but was full and varied-full of friends and comrades but full of detractors. It was a life full of action and creativity, full of achievements and challenges. There are many in and outside of country that admired and respected him, his sharp intellect, his wit, his love and loyalty to his country and Swapo party,” he said.
Speaking at the same occasion former Prime Minister and one of Hamutenya’s longstanding friends Theo-Ben Gurirab described Hamutenya as a hero and patriot who dedicated his entire life to the country.
”For me it will always be like he is on a holiday somewhere,” said Gurirab adding that he had lost a true friend.
He also urged young people to uphold the country. ”Think about the history of the liberation struggle in the best interest of the country,” he said.
President Hage Geingob said after he was elected president he pondered certain issues, such as what would happen if Hamutenya dies.
”Comrade Hidipo never sold out as I will illustrate soon. He only disagreed with us in SWAPO. Therefore the answer is yes. Yes, Comrade Hidipo must receive a hero’s burial because he fought valiantly against apartheid. He exhibited a strong commitment to uniting Namibian, and a commitment towards taking care of our young cadres so that they don’t go astray,” the President said.