Late Pohamba remembered for humanitarian work

OKANGHUDI – The late former First Lady Penehupifo Hashokwalindishi Pohamba has been remembered as a devoted nurse, freedom fighter, community leader and humanitarian whose life was characterised by compassion, resilience and service to others.

Her eulogy was read at her burial on Saturday by Selma Uutoni.

Pohamba, who served as Namibia’s Second First Lady from 2005 to 2015, was born on 16 June 1948 at Okatale village in the Oshikango Constituency of the Ohangwena region.

She was the first-born child of Elia Mbedi Hipangelwa, a schoolteacher, and Letisia Hainane.

She grew up in a family of eight children – five boys and three girls – and from an early age shouldered significant responsibilities in caring for her younger siblings and assisting with household duties.

Her upbringing in a rural environment instilled in her values of hard work, discipline, humility, resilience and service, which later became defining features of her public and professional life.

Pohamba completed her primary education at St Mary’s Mission School in Odibo in 1968, where her teachers included her father, David Mweukefina, Simon Hamola, Petrus Ndongo and Hedwina Haindongo.

Nursing career

Pohamba’s professional life was rooted in healthcare.

In 1969, she joined the Nursing Training School at St Mary’s Mission Hospital before travelling to Tanzania, where she trained as a staff nurse at Mtwara District Hospital.

She later pursued midwifery studies at the Cornwall School of Midwifery in Jamaica from 1980 to 1981.

Following Namibia’s independence, she completed a bridging course at the University of Namibia between 1993 and 1995, graduating with a Diploma in General Nursing and Midwifery.

She served as a nurse and midwife for more than four decades, with particular attention to mothers and children.

Her contribution to healthcare continued even after she became the First Lady. She voluntarily served at the Robert Mugabe Clinic in Windhoek for three years, demonstrating her continued commitment to caring for vulnerable communities.

**The liberation struggle **

Pohamba’s life was also closely intertwined with Namibia’s liberation struggle.

In 1974, she left Namibia with her husband and their two-year-old son, Waldheim, travelling through Angola to join the liberation struggle led by SWAPO.

She received medical assistance training in Mtwara and later underwent special staff military training in Kongwa, Tanzania, in 1976.

She subsequently studied politics in East Germany in 1982 before returning to Angola in 1983.

On 17 August 1983, she married Hifikepunye Pohamba, who later became Namibia’s second President.

Together, they raised eight children, including Hifikepunye Pohamba’s three children from his previous relationship and their three children.

At the time of her death, the Pohamba’s were also said to have raised more than 30 children in their household, reflecting her willingness to extend her care beyond her immediate family.

Pohamba was also a widow of the liberation struggle. Her first husband, Malakia Shiluwa, whom she married in 1971, died in combat on 12 July 1979.

**Service after independence **

Pohamba returned to Namibia in 1989 in line with United Nations Security Council Resolution 435 and participated in the country’s first democratic elections.

After independence, she worked at Katutura State Hospital, where she was recognised in 1992 for the quality of her nursing care.

She later served in primary healthcare at clinics in Windhoek and continued participating in in-service training to strengthen her professional skills.

Her public role expanded significantly after Hifikepunye Pohamba became President in 2005.

As First Lady, she became particularly prominent in the fight against HIV and Aids, maternal and child mortality, cancer and the challenges faced by vulnerable women and children.

Champion for women and children

Pohamba joined the Organisation of African First Ladies Against HIV/AIDS (OAFLA) in 2005 and served as its vice-president from 2006 to 2008.

She later served as president of the organisation from 2011 to 2013.

During her tenure, she played a leading role in strengthening the organisation’s institutional capacity, including the establishment of a permanent secretariat in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

She also promoted partnerships, resource mobilisation, advocacy and strategies aimed at reducing new HIV infections and maternal and child mortality across Africa.

One of the initiatives associated with her work was the campaign to promote male involvement in the prevention of mother-to-child transmission of HIV/AIDS. The campaign attracted participation from 17 member states.

In Namibia, she was instrumental in the launch of the Programme for Accelerating the Reduction of Maternal and Child Mortality in Namibia (PARMaCM), which was funded by the European Union to the tune of 10 million euros, equivalent to about N$184 million at the time, for the period 2013 to 2016.

She also mobilised resources for maternal waiting homes in six districts with high maternal, neonatal and child mortality rates.

The facilities were established in Engela, Okongo, Outapi, Opuwo, Eenhana and Gobabis to provide accommodation for expectant mothers living far from health facilities.

**Empowering vulnerable communities **

Pohamba’s humanitarian work extended beyond her role as First Lady.

In 2004, she and a group of fellow nurses and colleagues established the Organisation for the Empowerment of Widows/Widowers and Orphans of HIV/AIDS in Namibia (OEWONA).

Through the organisation, more than 10 000 widows, widowers and orphans affected by HIV/AIDS benefited from various forms of support.

She also founded the Mukwamhalanga Tukondjeni Community Trust, which focused on empowering rural women.

Her other causes included maternal and child health, support for people with special needs, cancer awareness and access to healthcare for vulnerable communities.

She served as patron of several organisations and initiatives, including the Maternal and Child Health National Agenda, Namibia Pharmaceutical Foundation (NAMPHARM), Mount Sinai Centre, Hockey Union and Women with A Mission.

**Cancer advocacy **

Pohamba was also a prominent advocate for cancer awareness.

In July 2014, Namibia hosted the eighth Stop Cervical, Breast and Prostate Cancer in Africa Conference in collaboration with the Princess Nikky Breast Cancer Foundation.

The conference attracted about 1 500 delegates, including eight African First Ladies, health ministers, parliamentarians, development partners, non-governmental organisations and civil society representatives.

Her advocacy helped place women’s health and cancer prevention on the national and continental agenda.

**International recognition **

Pohamba’s contribution to humanitarian work and public service earned her several international honours.

In July 2012, she was named an Ambassador of Peace by the Universal Peace Federation in Washington, DC.

In 2013, she received the Global Inspirational Leadership Award in Dubai and became chairperson of the Forum of African First Ladies on Breast, Cervical and Prostate Cancer in Africa.

She received the International Alliance for Women World of Difference Lifetime Achievement Community Award in Washington, DC, in 2014 and was granted honorary membership of OAFLA in Addis Ababa that same year.

In 2015, she received an Outstanding Contribution Award from the Chinese Ambassador to Namibia.

Two years later, in 2017, she received the African Women Global Amazon Award.

**A legacy of compassion **

Pohamba’s legacy, according to tributes delivered in her honour, extends beyond the titles she held and the awards she received.

She was remembered as a woman who remained committed to the welfare of ordinary people, particularly women, children, widows, orphans and communities affected by HIV/AIDS.

Her journey from a rural upbringing in Okatale, through the liberation struggle and a long nursing career, to becoming Namibia’s Second First Lady, was marked by a consistent commitment to service.

Pohamba died at the age of 78 and was laid to rest at the Pohamba family cemetery in Okanghudi village in the Ohangwena region on Saturday.

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