Thousands of mourners and high profile government officials paid their last respects to the founding governor of the Omusati Region, Leornard Mukwiilongo Friday night. During the memorial service held at his home village Elim, Founding President Dr Sam Nujoma described Mukwiilongo as a fearless and dedicated cadre of Namibia’s liberation struggle. Nujoma, who is a close friend of Mukwiilongo, described him as one of the pioneering veterans of the country’s liberation struggle. The 92-year-old Mukwiilongo sucumbed to his injuries on 24 May in the Ongwediva Medipark Private Hospital, after he was brutally attacked in an armed robbery at his home. Mukwiilongo served as the first Omusati Governor from 1992 to 1998. He later became the regional councillor of the Elim constituency in the same region until 2004 when he retired from active politics.