𝐅𝐈𝐍𝐀𝐋 𝐅𝐀𝐑𝐄𝐖𝐄𝐋𝐋 𝐓𝐎 𝐂𝐇𝐈𝐄𝐅 𝐒𝐇𝐎𝐎𝐘𝐀

Family members, friends, dignitaries and mourners gathered in their numbers at Onesi on Saturday 23 November to pay their last respects to the late Elenga Enene Daniel Shooya of the Uukolonkadhi Traditional Authority.

The official funeral was preceded by a memorial service on Friday 22 November during which various speakers delivered messages on behalf of the family and paid tribute to the late Elenga Enene Daniel Shooya. The long-serving leader of the western-most community in Owambo had been frail and bed-ridden in recent months and passed away at his home on 31 October, a few days after he was discharged from hospital, at the age of 97.

A contingent of Namibian Defence Force soldiers marched into the cemetery to the beat of the Namibian Defence Force Band. Mourners waited in silence until the arrival of the casket which was followed by the singing of the National and African Union anthems and a prayer and scripture reading by Bishop G. Niitenge.

Flag bearers of the Namibian Defence Force carried the white casket to the grave site and removed the flag before the casket was lowered, concurrently with six volleys of rifle fire. Trumpeters of the NDF and the Namibian Police then played The Last Post and the Reveille – which is accorded to official state funerals.

Bishop Niitenge performed the rite of committal and the Blessing of the body before the grave was covered. This was followed by the laying of four wreaths by: Mrs Selma Shooya, the widow, the Governor of the Omusati Region, Erginus Endjala, Chief Herman Ndilimani Iipumbu of the Uukwambi Traditional Authority and the Chairperson of the Eight Northern Traditional Authority and Air Marshall Martin Pinehas, Chief of the Namibian Defence Force.

The programme concluded with a vote of thanks by former Mines and Energy Minister Isak Katali, announcements, the singing of a hymn, the benediction by Bishop Niitenge and the singing of the AU and National anthems.

The late Elenga Shooya is survived by his wife, Meme Selma Shooya, ten children and grandchildren.