The Swapo band Ndilimani Cultural Troupe honors its first president, Sam Shafiishuna Nujoma, who made their music what it is today.
Ndilimani manager Jessy Nombanza said the band felt very sad when Nujoma died, even though he was quite old. Band members who worked with him for a long time felt this loss deeply.
They remember how his voice sounded when he spoke hopefully about Namibia. Their best memory is when he came to their studio and recorded two songs with them.
Nujoma really cared about culture. He asked Ndilimani to help bring Namibians together through music, acting, and dancing. Nombanza said he never saw Nujoma dance but he loved singing freedom songs. He always made them feel strong when they were in Swapo camps.
When Nujoma had a chance to sing, he picked a song called Ndamona Ovakwayita Tavalu. This song helped fighters feel brave.
During their time away from home, Nujoma set up social nights at different camps. These events brought people together through culture. After Namibia became free, they always celebrated his birthday on May 12.
The band played at Swapo events, freedom day parties, and voting times. Nombanza first met Nujoma in 1980 at farm Cassica in Angola, later called Kwanza-sul. Nujoma also came to speak to students and older people.
The next day, about 30 members of the Swapo Pioneers Movement, including Nombanza, went to a nearby farm. There, they had special lessons and talked with Nujoma face-to-face.
Nombanza feels empty since Nujoma died. He finds it hard to live without his guidance. He recalls when Nujoma visited their studio in a happy mood and told stories about the freedom fight, like how they started their group and how he left the country.
Most important, Nujoma told band members to keep Namibian culture alive. He said a country without culture is like a tree without roots.
Nombanza asks all Namibians to follow what Nujoma stood for. The best way to say goodbye is to put aside political fights and stay united, as unity was what Nujoma fought for his whole life.
Speaking for the band, its fans, his family, and himself, Nombanza sends sympathy to Kovambo Nujoma, their children, their family, and all Namibians.
He ends with, "Farewell, my commander. Farewell, my president. The fight goes on, and we will achieve money and freedom for our people as Nujoma wanted."
Ndilimani manager Jessy Nombanza said the band felt very sad when Nujoma died, even though he was quite old. Band members who worked with him for a long time felt this loss deeply.
They remember how his voice sounded when he spoke hopefully about Namibia. Their best memory is when he came to their studio and recorded two songs with them.
Nujoma really cared about culture. He asked Ndilimani to help bring Namibians together through music, acting, and dancing. Nombanza said he never saw Nujoma dance but he loved singing freedom songs. He always made them feel strong when they were in Swapo camps.
When Nujoma had a chance to sing, he picked a song called Ndamona Ovakwayita Tavalu. This song helped fighters feel brave.
During their time away from home, Nujoma set up social nights at different camps. These events brought people together through culture. After Namibia became free, they always celebrated his birthday on May 12.
The band played at Swapo events, freedom day parties, and voting times. Nombanza first met Nujoma in 1980 at farm Cassica in Angola, later called Kwanza-sul. Nujoma also came to speak to students and older people.
The next day, about 30 members of the Swapo Pioneers Movement, including Nombanza, went to a nearby farm. There, they had special lessons and talked with Nujoma face-to-face.
Nombanza feels empty since Nujoma died. He finds it hard to live without his guidance. He recalls when Nujoma visited their studio in a happy mood and told stories about the freedom fight, like how they started their group and how he left the country.
Most important, Nujoma told band members to keep Namibian culture alive. He said a country without culture is like a tree without roots.
Nombanza asks all Namibians to follow what Nujoma stood for. The best way to say goodbye is to put aside political fights and stay united, as unity was what Nujoma fought for his whole life.
Speaking for the band, its fans, his family, and himself, Nombanza sends sympathy to Kovambo Nujoma, their children, their family, and all Namibians.
He ends with, "Farewell, my commander. Farewell, my president. The fight goes on, and we will achieve money and freedom for our people as Nujoma wanted."
