Honoured to be named after Sam Shafiishuna Nujoma

By: Selma Ikela

Shafiishuna Mandume Kaulinge says being named after the late President Sam Nujoma is both a great responsibility and big shoes to fill. Kaulinge explained that being named after the Founding President is also an honour. Kaulinge said he met Nujoma while growing up in exile in Zambia but left for the former German Democratic Republic (GDR).

He said after independence, his mother, Pendukeni Ivula-Ithana, helped him reconnect with the president. “Those are big shoes to fill. But we must also be comforted that we stand on the shoulders of giants like him. As I said, my second name is Mandume.

So these are two great men that I look up to personally and I know the nation looks up to as well. So what has been the most compelling about this being names according to them is what I appreciate is their humble leadership.

Where there was love for the people in the country, there was progressive ideas and thinking and there was also a common struggle for liberation and achievement,” remarked Kaulinge. Nujoma has several namesakes across the country.

NewsonOne spoke to three, who shared their personal stories and the importance of carrying such a name. One of them, Sam Shafiishuna Ithete, a mechanical engineer, says the late president’s name holds immense value because of his contributions to the country.

He said what stands out is when an older man in his neighbourhood would remind him of the significance of his name.

“There was an old man, Mr Eddie Wilbard, well-know as’Man of Action’, who also grew up around Etunda…. He actually used to chase me out of the street. And if he sees me, he will tell me to go home, saying …you are not supposed to be playing around this area or if he saw me, maybe with a naughty crew,” said Ithete.

Ithete added that one of the fondest moments of the late President was when he invited all his namesakes to the Old State House. Ithete’s mother had accompanied him and proudly showed the president his grade 10 results. “She pulled out the card and showed it to him.With my shy personality at that point,I didn’t want that to happen, but it played out quite nicely.

He looked at the card and then he just turned it to the crowd. He shouted ,he only passed with As. So I was quite modest at that age and didnt like to be seen that I am good at something,” remarked Ithete.

Another namesake, Sam Shipiki, the NaTis northern region branch manager, who recalls meeting the founding President in the early 2000s shortly after joining the Police traffic department.

” I was then deployed to VIP escort. That is when I encountered him.

In 2002/2001, we met now face to face. But you see, the moment when I say Sam, then said ,hey mbushandje”.

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