Madame Penehupifo Pohamba: …a mother to a nation, a nurse to generations

As we lay to rest Namibia’s former First Lady, Penehupifo Pohamba, tomorrow, we reflect on the memories of a caring mother who dedicated her life to the health and wellbeing of mothers and children. Her passing on 17 October has left a void, but the tributes paid over the past two weeks have painted a picture of a woman whose legacy extends far beyond her years at State House.

At gatherings held at the Pohamba residences both in Windhoek and Okanghudi village, one message has resonated: before she was First Lady, she was a nurse and midwife whose calling was to care for others. It was a calling she carried with humility, compassion and commitment through Namibia’s liberation struggle, independence and beyond. Beyond her selfless service, another quality that repeatedly emerged in the tributes was her beauty. Those who knew her spoke of a woman whose physical beauty was matched by her grace, warmth and gentle presence. There was an elegance about her that people remembered, but it was her compassion and humility that gave that beauty a deeper meaning.

During the struggle, Pohamba was among those who brought care and hope to Namibian women giving birth in exile. She was often the first person to welcome newborns into a world in which their parents were still fighting for their country’s freedom. For mothers living under difficult circumstances, she offered more than medical assistance. She offered reassurance, dignity and the comfort of knowing that someone cared.

Indeed, some mothers were so touched by her care that they named their children after her. The numbers of Kamboshos and Penehupifos from exile speak to the depth of trust she inspired and the lasting impression she made on families during some of the most challenging years of our history.

Her peers in the liberation struggle remembered her not only as a nurse but also as a teacher. She shared practical knowledge and experience in maternal and childcare, imparting lessons that went beyond what could be learnt in nursing school. This is an important aspect of her legacy: she did not keep her knowledge to herself but used it to strengthen the capacity of others to care for mothers and children.

Independence did not mark the end of her nursing career. Rather, it opened another chapter in a life defined by service. Even after becoming First Lady in 2005, Pohamba reportedly continued working as a nurse, demonstrating that public office had not diminished her attachment to her profession. She served at the Robert Mugabe Clinic in Windhoek without remuneration for a period while carrying out her duties as First Lady.

This is a lesson worth reflecting on. Titles may change, responsibilities may expand and circumstances may improve, but a genuine commitment to serving others does not have to be abandoned. Pohamba’s example reminds us that service is not determined by the office one occupies, but by the willingness to make a difference in the lives of others.

When she eventually assumed the responsibilities of First Lady, she used the platform to amplify issues close to her heart. Maternal and child healthcare, women’s empowerment and the wellbeing of vulnerable communities became central to her advocacy. She championed initiatives and campaigns aimed at improving lives, recognising that the health of mothers and children is fundamental to the wellbeing of families and the development of the nation.

Her work did not end when her husband, former President Hifikepunye Pohamba, left office in 2015. At Okanghudi, retirement became another opportunity to serve. She continued supporting maternal healthcare, including through practical interventions to improve conditions for expectant mothers. She used her own money for the construction of a maternity waiting shelter at Okongo and the renovation of a similar facility at Engela hospital, alongside donations to support those in need. These interventions addressed a real challenge facing women in rural communities: accessing care when they live far from health facilities. For an expectant mother, a safe place to wait near a hospital can make an important difference. Such facilities are not merely buildings; they represent care, protection and the recognition that every woman deserves the opportunity to give birth safely. It is therefore fitting that a hospital bears her name. Yet the greatest tribute to Pohamba should not be the naming of a facility alone, but the continued provision of quality healthcare to the mothers and children whose wellbeing she championed.

As the nation bids farewell to this remarkable woman, her life invites us to reflect on what it means to serve. Her contribution was not confined to ceremonial duties or public appearances. It was rooted in years of practical work, personal sacrifice, knowledge-sharing and a determination to help those who needed it most.

The challenge now is to ensure that her work continues. Health authorities, communities and development partners must sustain efforts to improve maternal and child healthcare, particularly in rural areas where distance and limited resources can place mothers at risk. Her example should inspire a renewed commitment to ensuring that no woman is left without the care she needs and that every child receives a safe beginning in life.

Tomorrow, we will lay Meekulu Penehupifo Pohamba to rest, but we cannot bury the values she embodied. The babies she delivered have grown into adults; the mothers she comforted have carried her memory; and the colleagues she taught have passed on lessons that continue to shape lives.

Tomorrow, as Namibia lays Penehupifo Pohamba to rest, we bid farewell to a former First Lady, a nurse, a midwife, a mentor and a mother whose service transcended titles and generations. The babies she delivered have grown into adults; the mothers she comforted have carried her memory; and the colleagues she taught have passed on lessons that continue to shape lives.

To Tatekulu Hifikepunye Pohamba, we extend our deepest condolences. Losing a life partner with whom one has shared decades of love, companionship and service is a profound loss. May the memories of the life you built together, the family you nurtured and the countless lives she touched bring you comfort in this difficult time. We extend our heartfelt sympathies to the entire Pohamba family, their relatives and all Namibians mourning her passing.

May her life remind us that the most enduring legacy is not the titles we hold or the positions we occupy, but the lives we touch, the compassion we show and the difference we make. Namibia has lost a daughter, but her legacy of care will continue to live on in the mothers she helped, the children she welcomed into the world and the generations inspired by her example.

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