Leonard Auala

Leonard Nangolo Auala (25 September 1908 - 4 December, 1983) was a Namibian Lutheran Church leader.

Early life

Auala was born on 25 September, 1908 in Oniipa, Oshikoto Region. He was raised by Lutheran missionaries from Finland. [ [http://www.namibian.com.na/2008/September/national/082C442ABD.html Bishop Auala Centenary] The Namibian, 25 September, 2008] He went to primary school in Oniipa before going to Augustineum in Okahandja and theological training in Elim, Namibia and Port Elizabeth, South Africa.

Career

He was the first Namibian bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Namibia (ELCIN), a member of the Lutheran World Federation. Auala lived most of his life under South African rule. As a prominent religious leader for both the Ovambo people and other groups across Namibia, Auala met regularly with the South Africans to discuss issues like contract labour and other facets of apartheid. [ [http://www.dacb.org/stories/namibia/aula_leonard.html Leonard Auala] at the Dictionary of African Christian Biography] A member of the South West Africa People's Organization, Auala received threats and harassment from the South African occupiers.

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