Erkki Nghimtina passed away at Edundja village

A Sunday death in Ohangwena region's Edundja village claimed Erkki Nghimtina, a 77-year-old former minister who logged 25 years in parliament.

Death confirmation and Cabinet roles

• Erkki Nghimtina sat in the National Assembly between 1995 and 2020.
• Commissioner Ottilie Kashuupulwa verified the death on Sunday afternoon.
• Defence, mines, energy, transport, and labour all fell under his watch.
• Industrial relations and employment creation rounded out his ministerial portfolio.

Clerk background and Swapo exile

• Nghimtina punched the clock at Oshakati and South West Africa's postal service.
• The Swapo exile began in 1974 when he fled the country.
• Soviet Union drills turned him into a radio operations expert.
• The Independence War operations sucked him into the liberation movement.

Namibia's return and political launch

• Nghimtina touched down in Namibia in 1989 after the exile ended.
• Political work started within Swapo structures and government departments.