Fanuel Jariretundu Kozonguizi was a Namibian politician, diplomat, and lawyer who played a significant role during the Namibian War of Independence as a petitioner.
15 Facts About Fanuel Kozonguizi
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In 1959, Kozonguizi co-founded and became the first president of the South West African National Union, Namibia's first political party.
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Fanuel Kozonguizi was among the first Namibian nationalists to present the case for Namibia's self-determination at the UN.
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Fanuel Kozonguizi remained in exile for several years and returned to Namibia to take part in the Transitional Government of National Unity in the 1980s.
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Fanuel Kozonguizi passed away on 1 February 1995, leaving behind a legacy of dedication to justice and the pursuit of Namibian independence.
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Fanuel Kozonguizi was born on 26 January 1932 in Windhoek, Namibia, and grew up in Warmbad.
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Fanuel Kozonguizi completed high school in South Africa and earned his matric in 1953.
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Fanuel Kozonguizi studied at University of Fort Hare, Rhodes University, and University of Cape Town.
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Fanuel Kozonguizi became a barrister and Inner Temple member in London in 1970.
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Fanuel Kozonguizi began his career as an activist working to support contract labourers returning to Ovamboland in 1954.
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Fanuel Kozonguizi lasted as SWANU's leader until 1966, when Kozonguizi stressed an ideologically pure commitment to socialism and anti-imperialism which made SWANU unpopular to some in comparison to the other major political party and liberation movement, the South West Africa People's Organization.
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Fanuel Kozonguizi subsequently joined Kapuuo as member of the Democratic Turnhalle Alliance.
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From 1980 until independence, Fanuel Kozonguizi served in the transitional government of Namibia in various positions, including as the Minister of Justice, Information, Post and Telecommunication from June 1985 to 1988, and as Minister of Information from 1988 to 1989.
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Fanuel Kozonguizi joined the National Unity Democratic Organisation, a party that was part of the DTA at that time.
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Fanuel Kozonguizi served as national ombudsman until his death in February 1995 at the age of 63.