Antonius Nakale met leader Sam Nujoma in Zambia in 1980. He did not know he would become Nujoma's most trusted helper. Nakale is 67 years old today. He worked for Nujoma, Swapo, and Namibia's first president for 25 years.
Nakale was 22 when he first saw Nujoma, who was 51. His first job was telling Nujoma news between places in Africa. He moved to Angola in 1987. There, he shared information from war places to Nujoma. He fought in the People's Freedom Army of Namibia.
Three years later, in April 1990, Namibia became free from South Africa. Nakale became the president's helper for messages between the world and Nujoma. He saw many times when Nujoma showed strength and made big choices.
"He made up his mind fast. What he felt in his heart, he did not give up. He made choices quickly," Nakale said about Nujoma. Nakale liked how Nujoma made people work hard.
Nakale helped with many daily tasks. He answered phone calls for Nujoma, picked up medicine, helped with passports, carried bags, and kept the president safe.
"Nujoma wanted hard work and had big dreams. We worked hard because we wanted to, not just for money. He trusted me with everything. I hardly went home because he said, 'Let us work.' The news came all the time. I told him right away about very important news," Nakale said.
Nakale remembered when Nujoma wanted to build a train track from Tsumeb to Ondangwa. Some people said it would not work, and they said he wasted time. "Nujoma decided, and it was done. Just like many Namibians, he used a shovel to show it could happen."
When Nujoma stopped being president in 2005, he asked Nakale to work for the police. Nakale still sent messages to former president Hifikepunye Pohamba. Nakale had a stroke in 2014 and stayed in the hospital for two months. Nujoma came to see him, which showed that Nujoma cared.
"I thank him for his prayers and all who prayed for me to feel better. Here I am today, talking about this brave son of Namibia," Nakale said. Nakale left the police as a boss in 2018. He said Nujoma had dreams for the future.
"Namibia stays free forever. I never thought my time away from home would make me Nujoma's trusted man. Living 95 years is amazing. His friends Mugabe, Mandela, and Kaunda died. We feel happy he did enough for us to keep going," he said.
Nakale was 22 when he first saw Nujoma, who was 51. His first job was telling Nujoma news between places in Africa. He moved to Angola in 1987. There, he shared information from war places to Nujoma. He fought in the People's Freedom Army of Namibia.
Three years later, in April 1990, Namibia became free from South Africa. Nakale became the president's helper for messages between the world and Nujoma. He saw many times when Nujoma showed strength and made big choices.
"He made up his mind fast. What he felt in his heart, he did not give up. He made choices quickly," Nakale said about Nujoma. Nakale liked how Nujoma made people work hard.
Nakale helped with many daily tasks. He answered phone calls for Nujoma, picked up medicine, helped with passports, carried bags, and kept the president safe.
"Nujoma wanted hard work and had big dreams. We worked hard because we wanted to, not just for money. He trusted me with everything. I hardly went home because he said, 'Let us work.' The news came all the time. I told him right away about very important news," Nakale said.
Nakale remembered when Nujoma wanted to build a train track from Tsumeb to Ondangwa. Some people said it would not work, and they said he wasted time. "Nujoma decided, and it was done. Just like many Namibians, he used a shovel to show it could happen."
When Nujoma stopped being president in 2005, he asked Nakale to work for the police. Nakale still sent messages to former president Hifikepunye Pohamba. Nakale had a stroke in 2014 and stayed in the hospital for two months. Nujoma came to see him, which showed that Nujoma cared.
"I thank him for his prayers and all who prayed for me to feel better. Here I am today, talking about this brave son of Namibia," Nakale said. Nakale left the police as a boss in 2018. He said Nujoma had dreams for the future.
"Namibia stays free forever. I never thought my time away from home would make me Nujoma's trusted man. Living 95 years is amazing. His friends Mugabe, Mandela, and Kaunda died. We feel happy he did enough for us to keep going," he said.
