Tambul mourns ‘humble’ leader

 By BUSTIN ANZU

THE people of Tambul-Nebilyer in Western Highlands are mourning the death of a prominent local leader. 

Former Tambul district interpreter and land mediator Korowi Mackensi passed on a fortnight ago at his Glandu village at Kamuga in the Upper Nebilyer area.

Many who attended his funeral described him as a humble leader.

Pioneer member of parliament for Tambul, Pangia and Ialibu, Koitaga Mano described Mackensi as a leader of great strength, whose ideas and leadership style were based on instinct.

“He was born a leader and not made to be a leader,” Mano said.

“He performed his duties without favour or nepotism, like what our leaders of today are doing.

“He shaped and groomed many current and former leaders.

“We have indeed lost a leader who had the heart for his people. 

“Time has passed and we need to move on but such leaders have had a great input in our upbringing and prosperity,” Mano said during the funeral service at Kamuga last week. Mt Giluwe local level government council president John Puguma also praised late Korowi for helping to shape the current crop of Tambul Nebilyer leaders.

Puguma and his Kepaka and Sipaka tribesmen thanked Mackensi for his efforts before and after Independence for their nurturing. 

Mackensi, 84, was the longest serving land mediator, even after he was made redundant from public service in early 1990s. 

He commanded a lot of respect and was still active in resolving land issues at the time of his death.