Geingob hails Goliath as ‘peacemaker’
• Swapo stalwart laid to rest
"He exemplified the selfless nature of a true patriot who was dedicated to something bigger than himself – the Namibian nation," Geingob said.
Jemima BeukesWINDHOEK
President Hage Geingob has eulogised the late Chief Stephanus Goliath as a visionary leader, who was a caring, consistent and dependable source of wisdom to all who had the privilege to interact with him.
Goliath, who died on 10 March, was laid to rest at Berseba in the //Karas Region on Saturday. He was a Swapo stalwart and the first //Karas regional governor.
His state funeral was attended by various political dignitaries including Dr Panduleni Itula, leader of the Independent Patriots for Change (IPC), with whom he was incarcerated in Gobabis during the liberation struggle.
Geingob said: “[Goliath] was a unifier and a vessel of peace, focused on the needs of others and someone who approached his duties with maturity, poise and humility. He exemplified the selfless nature of a true patriot who was dedicated to something bigger than himself – the Namibian nation.”
Nama Teachers Union
Goliath began his teaching career at St Therese High School in Tses and was soon promoted to senior teacher and eventually principal.
However, with the apartheid regime at its peak, he could not reconcile himself with the quality of education being based on learners’ skin colour. The reality of those times weighed heavy on the minds of Chief Goliath and his contemporaries.
“Subsequently, they came together to establish the Nama Teachers Union, of which he was the chairperson, deputised by another one of our departed sons, Comrade Willem Konjore. It was under the astute and purposeful leadership of Chief Goliath that the 1976 teachers’ strike was called to demand better remuneration for Nama teachers,” Geingob said.
Due to his political activities, Goliath was imprisoned in Gobabis and Windhoek for six months, yet despite constant threat of arrest, torture and death, he persevered with his mission.
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President Hage Geingob has eulogised the late Chief Stephanus Goliath as a visionary leader, who was a caring, consistent and dependable source of wisdom to all who had the privilege to interact with him.
Goliath, who died on 10 March, was laid to rest at Berseba in the //Karas Region on Saturday. He was a Swapo stalwart and the first //Karas regional governor.
His state funeral was attended by various political dignitaries including Dr Panduleni Itula, leader of the Independent Patriots for Change (IPC), with whom he was incarcerated in Gobabis during the liberation struggle.
Geingob said: “[Goliath] was a unifier and a vessel of peace, focused on the needs of others and someone who approached his duties with maturity, poise and humility. He exemplified the selfless nature of a true patriot who was dedicated to something bigger than himself – the Namibian nation.”
Nama Teachers Union
Goliath began his teaching career at St Therese High School in Tses and was soon promoted to senior teacher and eventually principal.
However, with the apartheid regime at its peak, he could not reconcile himself with the quality of education being based on learners’ skin colour. The reality of those times weighed heavy on the minds of Chief Goliath and his contemporaries.
“Subsequently, they came together to establish the Nama Teachers Union, of which he was the chairperson, deputised by another one of our departed sons, Comrade Willem Konjore. It was under the astute and purposeful leadership of Chief Goliath that the 1976 teachers’ strike was called to demand better remuneration for Nama teachers,” Geingob said.
Due to his political activities, Goliath was imprisoned in Gobabis and Windhoek for six months, yet despite constant threat of arrest, torture and death, he persevered with his mission.
[email protected]
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