Presidency defends teen's hero accolade

The Presidency has defended the conferment of a national hero status on 16-year-old Cornelius Shimuafeni, saying Namibia’s highest national recognition is not reserved for liberation struggle veterans, politicians or government officials, but can also honour extraordinary acts of courage and selflessness.

Shimuafeni, from Omutundungu village in the Omusati Region, was accorded the status by President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah after risking his life to save nine-month-old twins who had been reportedly thrown into a water pond in May by their mother - who was consequently arrested and charged by the police. His recognition has sparked debate over the criteria used to confer one of the country’s highest forms of national recognition and whether extraordinary acts of bravery by ordinary Namibians should qualify.

Presidential spokesperson Jonas Mbambo said the national honours system also recognises outstanding contributions made outside the political sphere.

“National recognition is not limited to those who took part in the liberation struggle, held political office or served in government,” Mbambo said.

He said people making outstanding contributions in healthcare, education, science, business, job creation and community service may also be considered, with the nature and impact of their contribution determining which national honour is appropriate.

Mbambo cautioned, however, that not every important contribution would necessarily qualify for a national hero status.

“Not every important contribution will necessarily qualify for a national hero status, but it may be recognised through another national order, decoration or medal,” he said.

In Shimuafeni’s case, Mbambo said the teenager’s actions demonstrated the kind of exceptional courage and selflessness that could warrant national recognition.

“Heroism is not determined by age, social status or political affiliation. He placed his own life at risk to save two infants from drowning. That was an exceptional act of courage and selflessness for the public good,” the presidential spokesperson said.

The conferment of national honours is guided by Namibia’s Constitution and the Conferment of National Honours Act of 2012, which gives the president the authority to confer national honours.

Mbambo said the president may consult the National Honours Advisory Committee and other relevant people or institutions before making a decision, but the final authority rests with the president.

“The final decision rests with the president,” he said.

The law does not provide for a formal public application process specifically for a national hero status. However, Mbambo said members of the public, communities and organisations can bring deserving individuals to the attention of the Presidency, the ministry responsible for veterans’ affairs or other relevant authorities.

“The law does not set out a formal public application process for a national hero status,” he said.

He said recommendations should clearly explain what the person has done and why the contribution deserves national recognition. Being recommended, however, does not automatically mean that the individual will receive the honour.

Mbambo also clarified that a national hero status does not automatically come with a salary, pension or other standard financial benefit for the recipient or their family.

“[The] status is, above all, one of the country’s highest forms of recognition and gratitude,” he said.

He said a state funeral or burial at the National Heroes’ Acre may be granted in some cases, but these are separate honours and are not automatically attached to a national hero status.

In 2024, government rejected a request for an official funeral for Tomas Iindji, saying while the revered banker’s contribution was admirable, honouring him with such a funeral would ‘lower the bar’.

Former Oshana governor Elia Irimari wrote a letter to the veterans’ affairs division in the defence ministry, expressing a request by Iindji’s friends and relatives for the veteran banker to be accorded an official funeral.

Consistency questioned

Political analyst Dr Ndumba Kamwanyah said he supports Shimuafeni’s recognition but believes the case raises questions about whether similar acts of bravery have been treated consistently.

“I support the recognition of Cornelius Shimuafeni’s bravery. However, I believe consistency is important,” Kamwanyah said.

He pointed to what he described as the case of a woman in Kavango East who rescued her husband from the jaws of a crocodile but did not receive similar recognition.

“This raises questions about consistency in how heroism is assessed,” he said.

Kamwanyah said Namibia needs clear and well-defined criteria for according this status, arguing that such criteria should consider the level of courage involved, the risk to the individual’s own life, the circumstances of the act and the broader significance of the contribution.

“Recognising acts of bravery is important, but we must ensure that the process is fair, transparent and consistent so that the meaning of National Hero Status is not diluted,” he said.