Staff Reporter
PRESIDENT Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah joined mourners to honour the life of the late businessman and community pillar John Savva. In an emotional tribute, Ndaitwah said the nation was mourning “a beloved husband, father, esteemed businessman, comrade, and friend to all” — a man who gave selflessly to the community that became his home. Savva passed away on 11 October 2025, leaving behind a legacy that continues to inspire across Namibia.
A sombre yet deeply moving atmosphere filled the Jan Wilken Indoor Complex in Walvis Bay, where hundreds of mourners gathered as Nandi-Ndaitwah described Savva as “a visionary entrepreneur, a generous soul, and a loyal friend of Namibia whose life embodied integrity, humility, and compassion.”
The President reflected on Savva’s remarkable journey from his Mediterranean homeland to Namibia, saying he arrived “driven by courage, ambition, and a dream to live a life of shared purpose and prosperity with Namibians.”
“Guided by values of integrity, humility and compassion, Comrade Savva transformed his initial challenges into stepping stones of success,” she said, describing him as a man whose achievements were “equalled only by his humanity.”
Savva’s generosity, she added, was quiet but profound. “He was known for being generous without being noisy about it — reminding us that not all good deeds must be publicised. He helped in good faith and respected people’s dignity,” the President said.
As a businessman, Savva played a central role in shaping Walvis Bay’s economy, with ventures across multiple sectors — particularly tourism — and through his long-standing leadership in the Namibia Chamber of Commerce and Industry (NCCI), where he served for 25 years, including 20 as president.
“Walvis Bay cannot be mentioned without recalling his impact,” Nandi-Ndaitwah said. “He was part of the town’s soul, its heartbeat, helping shape Walvis Bay into the thriving hub we know today.”
She also highlighted his commitment to empowering Namibian youth, saying Savva believed “success is not about having more, but being more.”
Savva further served as Honorary Consul for Cyprus and Greece in Namibia for nearly 25 years, fostering relations between nations. The President described him as “a proud Cypriot and a proud Namibian — a bridge between two worlds.”
Ndaitwah paid special tribute to Savva’s wife, Roulla, and their family, urging the public to stand with them during this difficult time. “Meme Roulla was always by his side, and we must continue to support her as she starts a new life without her dear husband and closest friend,” she said.
A lifelong supporter of the SWAPO Party, Savva believed deeply in Namibia’s unity and independence. His late son, Yianni Savva, was instrumental in the 2010 regional and local elections campaign that secured SWAPO’s victory in Walvis Bay.
The President revealed that before his passing, Savva had once again pledged to assist with the 2025 campaign, offering strategic guidance to help reclaim Walvis Bay leadership. “It has always been his wish for Walvis Bay to become the biggest city. Let us honour him by realising his dream,” she said.
In her closing remarks, President Nandi-Ndaitwah described Savva as “a great economic hero and friend of our nation,” adding that his legacy lives on “not only in the landmarks he built but in the countless lives he touched.”
“Be humble, be yourself, and recognise everybody around you — that was his timeless wisdom,” she said.
“On behalf of the Government and the people of the Republic of Namibia, the SWAPO Party, and on my own behalf, I extend heartfelt condolences to Mrs. Roulla Savva, their children Despo and Georgia, the bereaved family, and the Cypriot and Greek communities,” the President concluded.
“May the soul of the late Comrade John Savva rest in eternal peace, and may his legacy continue to light our path as a nation.”
