NAMIBIANS from all walks of life on Saturday gathered at Oukwanyama Palace (ouhamba) at Omhedi village in the Ohangwena region to witness the first-ever traditional authority recognition award being presented to one of the country’s eye specialists, Dr Helena Ndume.
It was the 12th recognition award to Ndume, following 11 others she received at different platforms.
Queen (ohamba) Martha Mwadinomho waKristian yaNelumbu of Oukwanyama bestowed an award of gratitude and appreciation upon Ndume for her achievements in restoring the eyesight of thousands of Namibians through her annual eye camp programmes of cataract surgery.
The chairperson of the Oukwanyama Traditional Authority Council, George Nelulu, assisted yaNelumbu in rewarding Ndume.
In an award statement read on her behalf, YaNelumbu described Ndume as one of the professionals who served Namibians with love, passion and dedication.
“Dr Helena Ndume, our awardee today, has demonstrated, over a significant period of time, dedication and commitment to the promotion of both the prevention of blindness and eyesight restoration in this country,” yaNelumbu said.
She observed that Ndume’s commitment and dedication was born out of a strong sense of civic duty and love for her countrymen and women.
Many Namibians have either witnessed or heard about Ndume’s selfless sacrifices in helping people restore their eyesight.
“If there is anyone who has never heard of the name Helena Ndume, such a person must have come from a different planet,” recounted the ohamba of Oukwanyama.
YaNelumbu told those present that Ndume is also a patron of the Mwadinomho Combined School, which is named after her (yaNelumbu), and situated in the Ohangwena region’s Ondiihaluka area.
Ndume dedicated the award she received to the entire teams having been involved in the eye camps every year since inception in 1997.
“I have no suitable words to describe my appreciation for this award,” Ndume said. She then singled out Nelulu, and commended his family for providing free meals to the eye camp team every year it carried out its duties in the Ohangwena region.
She also commended Ohangwena regional governor Usko Nghaamwa, saying he was the only regional governor who paid a visit to the eye camp to give a word of encouragement since its inception.
Ndume and her eye camp team have restored the eyesight of some 35 000 people in Namibia so far.
– Nampa
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