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The tragic death last week of Namibia’s first ever black CEO of a commercial bank, Lazarus Ipangelwa, shocked the nation. Ipangelwa, who was in his mid-thirties died on Wednesday, 7 September just 30 kms north of Otjiwarongo on is way to the funeral of his father in law. Apparently a tyre burst and the car overturned and rolled several times. Ipangelwa’s children and a nanny as well as he himself were flung out of the car. His five-year old daughter survived, but he himself and his two-year old sun, died at the scene. A memorial service was held in Windhoek on Wednesday afternoon at St Mary’s Cathedral, which was attended by hundreds of people. Another memorial service will be held in Mr Ipangelwa’s home village in the North and the funeral will take place on Saturday morning.

After his studies Mr Ipangelwa started his career at the reserve bank, the Bank of Namibia, where he was for over ten years, rising to the rank of deputy governor. Three years ago, he was appointed CEO of First National Bank of Namibia. According to FNB board chairman Dieter Voigts, the late Ipangelwa had played a major role in successfully developing FNB’s business in Namibia.

The Namibia Agricultural Union (NAU) also expressed its heartfelt sympathy towards Mrs Anna Ipangelwa with the death of her husband, Lazarus Ipangelwa and his son. Mr Ipangelwa was an active member of the Kaiserstreet Farmers’ Association as well as the Otjiwarongo Farmers’ Association, where he farmed. "His inputs as emerging farmer and his knowledge of banking were very valuable for the NAU and the commercial agricultural sector", said NAU president Raimar von Hase.