Cornelius Shimwaafeni (16), who saved twins from drowning in a pond at Omutundungu village in the Omusati region earlier this year, was conferred a hero status by president Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah at the Heroes Day commemoration in Windhoek on Wednesday.
Shimwaafeni was herding goats when the twins’ mother walked past him carrying babies (9 months old). The mother allegedly looked angry and did not respond to him when he called her.
She allegedly walked towards a pond and threw one baby in the water before throwing in another.
Shimwaafeni allegedly rushed to take the children out despite not knowing how to swim. In an interview with The Namibian in May, Shimuafeni said he had to save the babies and if they were dying, they would have died together.
During the conferment, president Nandi-Ndaitwah praised him for his bravery, saying he saved the babies despite knowing that he was risking his life.
“He did not wake up that morning knowing that his courage would be tested. He did not act because cameras were watching. He did not act in expectation of recognition or reward. He saw human lives in danger, and he acted,” she said.
“That is heroism,” Nandi-Ndaitwah said.
Shimwaafeni received a medal and N$5 000.
On Tuesday, the president also conferred national honours to 1001 Namibians for their contribution to the liberation struggle and the country’s socio-economic development and nation-building.
“We look upon them and all Namibians to continue serving the nation on our road to prosperity,” she said.
Shimwaafeni is also reported to have rescued two other boys, aged between eight and 10, last year when they fell into water while herding animals.
