"Justina Shihepo was an incredibly dedicated, passionate registered nurse who put her patients at heart and would rather go home late if her presence was needed in the hospital," one of her colleagues, Elizabeth Kauna Aupindi, remarked at her home in Academia on Saturday.

"She had a real drive and energy for her work."

Justina and her husband, Gabes Shihepo, Deputy Minister of State Security, moved to Windhoek in 2000 when her husband won a seat in Parliament and was subsequently appointed Deputy Minister of Information and Broadcasting.

"She was among the first nurses to be trained at Oshakati State Hospital in 1966," her husband recalled.

She began working at the Oshakati hospital soon after graduating as a registered nurse.

"During that time at Oshakati Hospital, she was heavily involved in charity work.

Some of her colleagues nicknamed her 'Friday' as an excellent nurse who was tactful with patients and kind in her manner.

She would do all what you would expect but her contribution went beyond that."

Shihepo is survived by four children three daughters and a son and three grandchildren.

She was involved in community development until her death.

Born in Ongwendiva, Shihepo studied nursing because she had a passion for helping others.

When the struggle for Independence intensified, she became involved by treating wounded Swapo fighters and providing them with medicines and bandages.

Although Shihepo was married to a politician, she was not active in politics.

Not surprisingly, she was a staunch member of the organization for the empowerment of widows, widowers and orphans in Namibia, whose patron is First Lady Penehupifo Pohamba.

She also served as the senior administrator of the University of Namibia's Faculty of Medical Health Services until her death on Saturday.

Funeral arrangements are as follows: Wednesday, January 25, 16h00 memorial service at Hossiana Congregation (ELCIN) Friday, January 27, 16h00 second memorial service at Ohakweenyama cemetery, Ongwediva Saturday, January 28, 11h00 funeral at Ohakweenyama Cemetery.

- Nampa

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