Leader of the official opposition Popular Democratic Movement, McHenry Venaani said the late Ignatius Shixwameni was a principled individual who served the National Assembly and the Namibian nation at large with fervent patriotism.

Shixwameni, the president of the All People’s Party and Member of the National Assembly, died on Wednesday morning at Parliament when he collapsed while attending a meeting of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence and Security.

In a media statement on Wednesday, Venaani said Shixwameni will be remembered by his colleagues and indeed by Namibians at large as a steadfast leader, a man of conviction and one with a fierce determination to steer his country towards progress and shared prosperity.

“Honourable Shixwameni joined and served as a Member of Parliament from 1999 to 2021. His tenure will especially be remembered for introducing a motion in 2012 to discuss the implementation of what he termed a Basic Poor Household Income Grant which sought to provide a safety net for poorer households, thus clearly outlining Honourable Shixwameni’s commitment to the downtrodden in our country,” said Venaani.

He added that Shixwameni’s career spanned two decades of service to the people of Namibia, and his longevity in the political arena and contributions to the betterment of society will be sorely missed.

“It is, therefore, a deep anguish that members of Parliament and the Namibian nation have to bid farewell to Shixwameni in such a manner. I offer my heartfelt condolences to his family and loved ones, as well as to the members and sympathisers of the All People’s Party. May his soul rest in perfect, everlasting peace,” said Venaani.

Source: The Namibian Press Agency