Windhoek: Swanu of Namibia has paid tribute to their late comrade, deputy bishop Ngetujame Zacheus Makari, who the party said was a dedicated activist and a walking 'archive' of the party's history. Despite his role as a clergyman, Makari was a staunch Swanu member who joined the party at a young age. Swanu president Evalistus Kaaronda, in an interview with Nampa on Thursday, described the late Makari as the epitome of selflessness and service to others.

According to Namibia Press Agency, Kaaronda recounted meeting Makari as student leaders, and later working alongside him as members and leaders within Swanu. Kaaronda highlighted that Makari possessed many talents, including a photographic memory, particularly of the history of the people's struggle for self-determination. 'It was his natural gift that made the Swanu of Namibia's Political Bureau deploy him as its representative to the Namibia Veteran Board,' said the former unionist.

Kaaronda added that he worked with the late Makari at NANASO, where he was the president, while Makari served as an advocacy officer for the organisation. On his part, former Swanu president Usutuaije Maamberua, in his tribute message, said the late Makari was a reliable source of knowledge and information. 'He was more than a library. In fact, he was an archive. I was particularly impressed with the depth of understanding he had regarding Swanu's activities abroad, even though he was not in exile,' said Maamberua.

He added that Makari was an inspiration to both young and the old, and the party has lost a reliable comrade. 'Our thoughts are with the family during this difficult period,' he said. Swanu's acting Youth League president Mbango Nandova said the late Makari was a good motivator and wanted the youth to feel their importance in the party and society at large. 'He was firm in his words, and an exemplary person you could learn things from. He knew the party's history well and instilled a culture of hard work among the youth in our party,' Nandova said.