A woman is the cornerstone of society and the foundation upon which a home and a nation are built.

This was said by former President Sam Nujoma in reference to the death of ‘Mama Claudia’ Kausisivara Stanley.

‘Mama Claudia’ as she was affectionately known, was the wife of the late Ludwig Stanley, who transported founding President Sam Nujoma into exile.

‘Mama Claudia’ died on Sunday in a Gaborone hospital after a long illness. She was 66.

Nujoma said Namibia and Botswana lost a steadfast matriarch of the noblest character.

“The late Mama Claudia was not only a mother to her children but also a mother to all of us,” he said.

He said death has robbed them of ‘Mama’ Claudia, but what is important is that they use her exemplary life to sow good works that outlive them.

“Our departed Mama has left behind many good works. But what she has also left behind is a reminder that the values we live by define us more than anything else,” Nujoma said in his condolence message sent to the family.

In her memory, Nujoma called on the people of Botswana and that of Namibia to take inspiration from her life as the two countries redouble their efforts to build more humane, egalitarian and caring societies.

Albert Stanley described Mama Claudia as a loving person with a great sense of humour.

Stanley, who is the late Stanley’s stepson, said they have lost a pillar to lean on.

Namibia’s history cannot be told without mentioning Ludwig Stanley, the man who risked his life to see to it that Nujoma, Deputy Prime Minister Dr Libertina Amathila, and many others cross the border into Botswana in search of Namibia’s independence.

On 29 February 1960, Founding President Nujoma was driven from Windhoek’s Old Location to Gobabis by Johannes Karuaihe, who was going to Otjinene and Epukiro in the Omaheke Region. From Gobabis they then continued after midnight to the border between South West Africa and the British Bechuanaland Protectorate.

Nujoma was given a lift in a truck driven by Ludwig Stanley, who was originally from South West Africa but was then living in Bechuanaland. Stanley dropped Nujoma near Kanaindo, about 20 kilometres from the border post.

“I went on foot until I had to crawl under the border fence into the British Bechuanaland Protectorate. This is how I came into contact with the Stanley family,” Nujoma recalled.

Mama Claudia will be buried on Saturday next to her husband at Farm Good Hope in the Xanagas district, Charles Hill.

She is survived by six children.

Source: The Namibian Press Agency