Tributes continue pouring in after the news of the passing on of the former Swapo councillor for the Katutura Central Constituency, Ambrosius Kandjii.
The former Member of Parliament died Wednesday morning in the Gobabis State Hospital after a short illness. He was 49.
Those who worked closely with the late Kandjii described him as a go-getter, vigilant and hardworking man.
He was a team player and a staunch Swapo cadre who always put other people first, said Namibian Ambassador to the United States of America, Margaret Mensah-Williams.
“Kandjii was a unique person. One of a kind, a people’s person who always was fighting for the wellbeing of his people,” she said.
He was hardworking and executed his assignments with precision, Mensah-Williams said, adding that Kandjii was more of a brother to her than a colleague.
The former Swapo councillor for Katutura Central was also a National Council member for the Khomas Region from 2010 to 2020.
At the time, Mensah-Williams was chairperson of the National Council.
“If he felt any bill under discussion was not in the form that was addressing the needs of the people, he would speak up against it without fear or favour even if he was alone,” Mensah-Williams told this agency on Thursday.
Kandjii was one of the few who spoke up against the bill which granted the fisheries minister the right to allocate quotas to non-rights holders.
She said he never approved that bill as he felt it was wrong to give so many powers to one person.
Kandjii could also play hard and would sometimes abscond from a meeting, but come back and implement the resolutions of that meeting without attending it.
“He had a rare negotiating skill and a skill to change your mood, if you are not happy with him, before you know it, you start laughing with him,” she reminisced.
Kandjii was further well-known for being a defender of people whose houses were attached by a messenger of court for eviction.
“He would be there fighting and coming to the rescue of the family and highlighting the undignified manner in which the matter is executed. Many times the law enforcement got agitated because Ambros will defend the evicted people, especially if it is an old person,” said the diplomat.
Mensah-Williams said late Kandjii would fight for issues of principle – if he did not agree with something, he would oppose it heavily.
“If he is passionate about something he would fight just as hard for it. Rest softly my brother we salute you,” said Mensah-Williams in a sombre voice.
Katutura Central councillor Rodman Katjaimo described him as a servant of the people and a humble person with a kind heart.
“He was dearly loved by his constituents. What he did for the people of Katutura Central and Namibia in general is amazing, he served the constituency diligently,” Katjaimo said.
He was the initiator of the Katutura Expo and mobilised and garnered support from a whole community, including the farming community, and as his successor, it is very difficult to get into his shoes, Katjaimo said.
“It is weird that on Tuesday, Kandjii came in my dream where we were talking, and encouraging me about something which I cannot remember. It is so weird that Tuesday I put up a flyer on my social media advertising the upcoming Katutura Expo and the note beneath was: ‘As I am preserving my predecessor’s legacy. Mark your calendar’,” he said.
Another former Member of Parliament who worked closely with the late Kandjii, Bernard Sibalatani, described him as a vocal and principled man.
Namibia has lost a go-getter, trustworthy person and his death is a big loss to Namibia, said Sibalatani, adding that he was one of the most hardworking councillors he knew.
“I am shocked and could not believe the sad news,” he said.