The Government of the Republic of Namibia would like to inform the public that the late Lt. Gen. Solomon Dumeni Hawala, a veteran of the liberation struggle who passed away on 1 August 2025 at the age of 89, was accorded a State Funeral.
The memorial service of the late Hawala will be held on Friday, 5 September 2025 at his Homestead in Ohakweenyanga village No.1 in Ondangwa Rural Constituency, Oshana region. The burial service will take place on Saturday, 6 September 2025 at the Old Ongwediva Lutheran cemetery.
The late Hawala was born on 19 August 1935 at Efidilomulunga near Ongwediva. He joined SWAPO in 1962 and left for exile in 1964. He was trained in Tanzania in 1965, North Korea in 1968 and in Soviet Union in 1981. Lt. Gen. Hawala participated, planned and directed several combat operations against the South Africa colonial forces in the Caprivi Strip while based in Zambia.
He served in many positions in the Army, including Assistant Commander to the Army Commander from 1975 – 1989. After independence he joined the Namibian Defence Force as Major General and later appointed as Army Commander.
In December 2000 the late Hawala was appointed as the Chief of Defence Force, a position he held until his retirement on 31 October 2006. He also served on the SWAPO Central Committee from 1977-1990 and in the SWAPO Politburo from 1981-1990.
The late Lt. Gen. Hawala was conferred with national honours such as the Order of Eagle 1s Class, Omugulugwombashe Medal, Namibia Cross for Bravery Silver and NDF medals for his out stand leadership.
