Tribute to Ruben Danger Ashipala
By Martin Shali

Today the nation mourns one of its greatest sons. Today another warrior has fallen. Today marks another sad day in the chapter of the liberation struggle, a true freedom fighter and one which we shall all remember is no more.

Ruben Ashipala, affectionately known as Danger, was born 62 years ago and died 62 years later. He was born on the 26 August, a day the liberation was to be launched on 1966 at Omugulugwombashe, and a fight that he joined later in 1974.

While working in Walvis Bay, Danger came into the reality with the harsh conditions imposed by the system of apartheid and colonialism in Namibia at the fall of the Portuguese colonial empire in Africa in 1974, Danger together with many other young Namibian did not hesitate to join the struggle from outside Namibia.

The aim was to fight for freedom and independence of his country and people. He lived to the challenge. In 1974, Danger with many others were dispatched to the USSR to undergo military training and as a reconnaissance, a tough job indeed.

Danger was a remarkable man, a man of high intellect and natural intelligence. Danger was a fearless and brave Combatant.

He was a great military leader who led by example. He was inspirational and a true committed combatant of plan.

Danger was driven by the love of his country and was always determined to see and ensure the freedom of his Motherland, which he did. He was tough and physically a strong man, an endowment he fully exploited.

He was at times an intimidating figure which was his trademark like President Sam Nujoma. He was one of those who wore beards in a revolutionary manifestation. Obviously he was influenced and inspired by him,(Nujoma).

How do we remember Danger? What is the legacy? These are the mind boggling questions.

Reasons are abound because the life of this great military leader cannot be summed up in ten odd pages. He lived and died SWAPO. He was a revolutionary and visionary freedom fighter.

He was humble and possessed unequalled qualities, and persistent good sense of humour, regardless of his intimidating characters and statue. He shared a common vision of Namibia, a Namibia free from the shackles of poverty, underdevelopment and employment, tribalism and regionalism, nepotism, corruption and many other such vices, for that he was a true patriot.

He was a great believer in shared values and cultural diversity.

Danger was the greatest reconciliator. He made friends with his former enemies such as Johan van Der Mescht, whom he invited to Namibia with his family not too long ago.

He took him to Elundu Water point where he was captured.

A film and a book in his memory is being prepared. He is a man who commanded immense respect and admiration from friends and foes alike.

He was likeable and a source of inspiration particularly at very difficult times of the armed Liberation Struggles and for that his name and legacy will remain a living memory in the history of Namibia both before and after 20 years of freedom and independence.

A nation that forgets its history and its heroes and heroines is like a tree without roots. A tree without roots is condemned to doom because soon its leaves and branches will wither and when that happens the tree ceases to exist.

May his soul rest in eternal peace