Learners unveil tombstone at school to honour late Ottilie Abrahams

WINDHOEK, 04 DEC  – Learners, staff and alumni of the Jakob Marengo Secondary School (JMSS) here on Tuesday unveiled a tombstone at that school in honour of its late principal and founder, Ottilie Abrahams.
Abrahams died on 01 July 2018 at the age of 80.

Acting School Principal Willem de Klerk said life has never been the same since the death of Abrahams.
Addressing Abrahams he said: “Life is now different without you Otillie Abrahams, but we will continue to carry this school; we will continue with your legacy”.

A Portuguese language teacher at the school, Mulei Shilunga, described Abrahams as a very intelligent person.

“If you challenged her on political matters she would school you, and she was a mother at the same time. She was very understanding and believed in giving people a second chance. Her heart was not filled with venom; she had a pure heart that could forgive,” added Shilunga.

The late Abrahams has been praised for introducing the Portuguese language at the school to cater for Portuguese-speaking learners, mostly Angolan nationals.

Various speakers described her as a phenomenal woman who worked tirelessly to make the world a better place for humanity and had a heart filled with positivity.

Among the attendees was social activist Rosa Namises, Kenneth Abrahams – son of the late Abrahams – and Deputy Director of Namibia Development Trust Ronny Dempers who also attended JMSS.
The late Abrahams was also the founder of Namibia Girl Child Movement, Namibia Nationhood Coordinating Committee, and People’s Primary School in Katutura. – NAMPA