Remembering Penehupifo Pohamba: The woman they knew before and after State House

Long before Penehupifo Pohamba became Namibia’s first lady, Tangeni Angula and Paavo Max knew her as a comrade in the liberation struggle in Angola.Decades later, their paths crossed again at State House, where they found the same kindness, humility and concern for others they remembered.Angula, wife of former prime minister Nahas Angula, remembers Pohamba as a lifelong friend whose Christian faith shaped her commitment to helping vulnerable people, while Max, a former chief waiter at State House, recalls her cheerful personality and preference for remaining outside the spotlight.“She believed in neighbourliness. Everybody is a neighbour to her. Ubuntu. She gives. She offers help,” Angula recalled.Their friendship began in 1974 when they travelled from Angola to Zambia with other young Namibians during the liberation struggle.“We travelled together from Angola to Zambia as a group of young people in 1974. In 1975, we separated shortly after everyone went for their training,” Angula recalled.They reunited briefly in 1981 in Luanda, where Pohamba worked as a nurse while running a kindergarten.CassingaMax’s connection with Pohamba began at Cassinga in southern Angola, where he survived the South African military attack of 4 May 1978, which killed hundreds of people, including his sibling.“This is how I remember my early connection with the Pohambas. During our time in Cassinga,” Max said.Their paths crossed again in 2005 when Hifikepunye Pohamba became Namibia’s second president and Nahas Angula was appointed prime minister.By then, Max had served for 16 years in the presidential household under founding president Sam Nujoma.As chief waiter, he coordinated official functions, presidential events and daily meal arrangements.“Meekulu Penehupifo was a very good person. Very cheerful and always so kind,” Max recalled.He said Pohamba preferred a quiet role during official engagements, allowing her husband to receive dignitaries and guests while she remained in her private quarters until needed.“During official engagements, while president Pohamba welcomed dignitaries and other guests, she generally remained in her private quarters, allowing him to lead proceedings. She would emerge when her presence was required, preferring not to draw unnecessary attention to herself,” Max said.A legacy of compassionAngula worked alongside her on humanitarian initiatives, particularly those supporting expectant mothers, widows and vulnerable children.Angula said Pohamba was deeply troubled by pregnant women travelling long distances to health facilities and sleeping outside hospitals before giving birth.“She was determined to change the circumstances of women who sleep outside hospitals waiting to give birth. She didn’t want a pregnant woman to walk about 30 kilometres to reach a health centre,” Angula said.Pohamba mobilised financial support for maternity waiting shelters, including at Engela Hospital, and helped establish the Organisation for the Empowerment of Widows/Widowers and Orphans of HIV/AIDS in Namibia (OEWONA) in 2005.Their friendship also developed into a working relationship built on trust, with Pohamba occasionally asking Angula to represent her at official functions when she travelled abroad.“Whenever she had to carry out certain functions and she was outside the country, she would delegate to me. “Our discussions often centred on cancer patients, children dying and the social problems confronting communities. She was a believer, a Christian, a woman of faith,” Angula said.Continue in her footstepsAs Namibia mourns the former first lady, Max extended his condolences to former president Pohamba and the couple’s children.“I would like to express my heartfelt sympathy to Pohamba and the children,” he said.Angula believes the most meaningful tribute would be to continue the humanitarian work Pohamba championed.Angula’s message to Pohamba’s children was to preserve their mother’s passion for community service and ensure that the causes she championed do not disappear with her passing.“Pick up where she left off. She would want you to continue. We are going to be fair in mourning her if we continue her legacy of building a better community,” she said.The Pohamba family has announced that a memorial service for the late former first lady Penehupifo Pohamba will be held on 30 October, followed by her burial at Okanghudi on 31 October.Pohamba (78) died on Saturday at Lady Pohamba Private Hospital in Windhoek.

Remembering Penehupifo Pohamba: The woman they knew before and after State House

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Namibian Sun 2026-10-22

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Remembering Penehupifo Pohamba: The woman they knew before and after State House

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Namibian Sun 2026-10-22

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