Windhoek: President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah has characterised the death of former Cabinet minister Erkki Nghimtina as a significant loss to the nation, emphasising that his passing deprives Namibia of a devoted freedom fighter and committed national leader. Nghimtina died at his homestead at Edundja village in the Ohangwena Region on Sunday. He was 78.

According to Namibia Press Agency, Nandi-Ndaitwah expressed her condolences, acknowledging Nghimtina as a veteran of the liberation struggle who served as a Member of Parliament from 1995 to 2020. She noted his life-long dedication to the liberation of Namibia. After independence, Nghimtina held several important government positions, including in Works and Transport, Mines and Energy, Labour and Industrial Relations, and Defence.

Nandi-Ndaitwah highlighted that Nghimtina's death is a loss of a committed freedom fighter and national leader. He left Namibia for Angola to join the ranks of PLAN combatants, dedicating his life to the country's liberation and independence. She added that Nghimtina continued to serve the nation with distinction, making a significant contribution to its development, and extended her thoughts and prayers to his entire family during this time of bereavement.

Nghimtina's political career began after retiring from active military service in 1995 when he entered politics as the deputy minister in the Ministry of Defence. He was promoted to minister in 1997, a role he held until 2005. He then served as Minister of Mines and Energy in President Hifikepunye Pohamba's Cabinet from 2005. In 2010, he was reassigned to lead the Ministry of Works and Transport and was later appointed Minister of Labour, Industrial Relations and Employment Creation in 2015 under President Hage Geingob, a position he held until 2020.