Katutura loses leader and pillar
Young and old have remembered the late Juuso Katangolo as an inspiring educator.
Tributes continue to come in for one of Katutura's most beloved principals and a pillar of the community, Juuso Panduleni Katangolo. Katongolo, who served as principal at Mandume Primary School for about 23 years, died earlier this week in a Windhoek hospital.
He was 79.
His eldest son Martin Katangolo said his dad was a friend to all, an exceptional educator and veteran of the liberation struggle. “My father was a leader, a teacher and a unifier, who was a friend to all,” he said.
Businesswoman Twapewa Kadhikwa, who attended Mandume Primary School in the early 1980s, said Katangolo was a true man of the community and leaves behind an immeasurable impact.
“That was a life well lived. He came into the community and fulfilled his calling. I am sure when he passed on God said 'well done my faithful servant”.
Tate Katangolo was a father to all of us. I only got to know his biological children in recent years. My mother was a teacher at Mandume Primary School as well and to her, Tate Katangolo was a father figure,” said an emotional Kadhikwa.
She further described Katangolo as a disciplinarian, nurturer and most importantly a worshipper.
“He was a pillar in the community. He was a godfather to so many children. As a spiritual father, he is named after so many people. He produced so many teachers.
His impact in the community is immeasurable. I regret that we are only doing this now that he is dead, we could have done this long time ago when he was still alive. He made us to be proud of Katutura.”
Legacy
Kadhikwa further added that the late Katangolo leaves behind a solid legacy, which is worth emulating.
“We thank God for his life. It was a life well lived.
“He literally died empty and gave everything to his nation, family and community. What more can we ask for? I thank God for being born in a generation to have met this man. We must now build on his legacy and document his life and teach it to our children.
“What is stopping Mandume Primary School from being like Windhoek Gymnasium? We must plough back in his honour.”
Katangolo was born at Iihongo in the Onyaanya area of Oshikoto Region on 10 March 1937.
He served as principal of Mandume Primary School between 1969 and 1992, making him the longest serving leader in the school's history.
He attended Augustineum in Okahandja and taught at schools such as St Barnabas Missionary School and Berthold Himumuine Primary School before moving to Mandume.
“He was a people's person and always willing to attend events of Mandume Primary School. He was always willing to give a helping hand,” said Robert Nghinaakundaama Dishena, the current principal of Mandume.
The school has organised to have a memorial service for the late Katangolo at the school today with former teachers and learners of all invited to attend.
The late Katangolo is survived by his wife and six children.
He will be buried this Saturday at the Old Location cemetery in Hochland Park, while a memorial service will be held in his honour tomorrow at the ELCRN Macedonia parish in Katutura.
FESTUS NAKATANA
He was 79.
His eldest son Martin Katangolo said his dad was a friend to all, an exceptional educator and veteran of the liberation struggle. “My father was a leader, a teacher and a unifier, who was a friend to all,” he said.
Businesswoman Twapewa Kadhikwa, who attended Mandume Primary School in the early 1980s, said Katangolo was a true man of the community and leaves behind an immeasurable impact.
“That was a life well lived. He came into the community and fulfilled his calling. I am sure when he passed on God said 'well done my faithful servant”.
Tate Katangolo was a father to all of us. I only got to know his biological children in recent years. My mother was a teacher at Mandume Primary School as well and to her, Tate Katangolo was a father figure,” said an emotional Kadhikwa.
She further described Katangolo as a disciplinarian, nurturer and most importantly a worshipper.
“He was a pillar in the community. He was a godfather to so many children. As a spiritual father, he is named after so many people. He produced so many teachers.
His impact in the community is immeasurable. I regret that we are only doing this now that he is dead, we could have done this long time ago when he was still alive. He made us to be proud of Katutura.”
Legacy
Kadhikwa further added that the late Katangolo leaves behind a solid legacy, which is worth emulating.
“We thank God for his life. It was a life well lived.
“He literally died empty and gave everything to his nation, family and community. What more can we ask for? I thank God for being born in a generation to have met this man. We must now build on his legacy and document his life and teach it to our children.
“What is stopping Mandume Primary School from being like Windhoek Gymnasium? We must plough back in his honour.”
Katangolo was born at Iihongo in the Onyaanya area of Oshikoto Region on 10 March 1937.
He served as principal of Mandume Primary School between 1969 and 1992, making him the longest serving leader in the school's history.
He attended Augustineum in Okahandja and taught at schools such as St Barnabas Missionary School and Berthold Himumuine Primary School before moving to Mandume.
“He was a people's person and always willing to attend events of Mandume Primary School. He was always willing to give a helping hand,” said Robert Nghinaakundaama Dishena, the current principal of Mandume.
The school has organised to have a memorial service for the late Katangolo at the school today with former teachers and learners of all invited to attend.
The late Katangolo is survived by his wife and six children.
He will be buried this Saturday at the Old Location cemetery in Hochland Park, while a memorial service will be held in his honour tomorrow at the ELCRN Macedonia parish in Katutura.
FESTUS NAKATANA
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