Former first lady Penehupifo Pohamba was remembered as a nurse, mother, mentor and advocate for vulnerable Namibians, whose influence spanned the liberation struggle, State House and communities across the country.
At her memorial service at Parliament Gardens in Windhoek on Saturday, tributes from her husband, former president Hifikepunye Pohamba, daughter Ndapanda Pohamba, former first lady Monica Geingos and representatives of the health sector painted a picture of a woman whose leadership was rooted in compassion and practical service.
“She taught us that compassion is not simply something we speak about, it is something we show through our actions,” her daughter Ndapanda said.
She recalled how her mother urged parents, particularly in rural communities, not to abandon children who made mistakes, including girls who fell pregnant or pupils who struggled academically.
“Her message was simple, but profound. A child may need correction, but must never be denied love, care, and protection,” Ndapanda said.
She said the values her mother shared with the community were the same ones she practised at home, where her children could approach her with their worries and challenges knowing she would listen and guide them.
Ndapanda also revealed that she was expecting a child, news that had brought her parents immense joy earlier this year. She said she would teach the child about their grandmother’s kindness, wisdom, laughter and love, even though the child would not have the opportunity to know her personally.
Hifikepunye remembered his wife as a loyal life companion and a caring mother to their eight children, saying the kindness and tributes shown to the family since her death had brought them comfort.
He recalled that she trained as a nurse and midwife and cared for people in exile, including at health centres in Zambia and Angola.
She continued serving others after independence, including working without remuneration as a nurse at Robert Mugabe Clinic in Windhoek between 2006 and 2008 while serving as first lady.
“During our life together, I came to know Penehupifo as a remarkable woman with strong character and self-discipline. She tightly held our family together and guided us without being judgemental,” he said.
Hifikepunye also credited her with championing maternal and child health, supporting women and advocating for people affected by HIV-AIDS.
She helped mobilise private resources for maternity waiting shelters near health facilities, enabling expectant mothers from remote areas to stay closer to care before giving birth.
Geingos recalled Penehupifo’s personal support and her role in creating a space where people felt safe discussing health challenges.
Geingos said former president Hage Geingob disclosed his prostate cancer diagnosis at a cancer conference hosted by Penehupifo in 2013 because he trusted her and her work.
Geingos said the disclosure encouraged men across Namibia to seek testing, highlighting the impact of Penehupifo’s cancer awareness advocacy.
Former health minister Richard Kamwi said Penehupifo was advocating for greater attention to healthcare funding and supporting initiatives such as maternity waiting shelters and cancer awareness programmes.
Her commitment to vulnerable communities extended beyond healthcare. Joseph Auala, chairperson of the Organisation for the Empowerment of Widows/Widowers and Orphans of HIV-AIDS in Namibia, paid tribute to the organisation’s history and its work supporting affected families.
Penehupifo served as Namibia’s first lady from 2005 to 2015. She died on 17 October at the age of 78.
