Sisa Namandje Foundation honours injured PLAN veteran for bravery
The Sisa Namandje Foundation has honoured Petrus Festus Sheehama, also known by his combat name Hamupenauna Omakishi, as the September 2025 nominee under its “Injured but Not Fallen PLAN Combatants Project”.
According to the project’s founder, renowned lawyer Sisa Namandje, the initiative seeks to recognise those who were injured during Namibia’s liberation struggle but never gave up. He said the 24-month project, launched in May 2025, pays tribute to severely injured yet surviving former People’s Liberation Army of Namibia (PLAN) fighters who made immense sacrifices for the country’s independence. Each nominee receives a once-off payment of N$10,000 in appreciation of their bravery and service.
In a statement released through the Sisa Namandje Foundation, Namandje said Sheehama joined Swapo in 1974 and later underwent military training at the Tobias Hainyeko Training Centre.
He subsequently became part of the elite PLAN Special Unit Typhoon, which carried out high-risk operations inside Namibia.
Ambushed
In 1981, Sheehama was among the combatants who participated in the attack on Ondangwa Military Base and the nearby airport.
Three years later, in 1984, while on a mission near Nepara in the Kavango West Region, he was ambushed by South African Defence Force soldiers, sustaining severe injuries that led to the amputation of his left leg.
“Despite his injuries, Sheehama continued to demonstrate courage and loyalty to the liberation cause.
He was later captured by enemy forces due to his weakened state but survived the ordeal,” Namandje said.
He added that the award recognises Sheehama’s “bravery, sacrifices and unwavering commitment to Namibia’s independence”.
Sheehama expressed gratitude to the Swapo-led government for its continued support through war veterans’ benefits, saying he remains proud of having contributed to Namibia’s freedom.
Namandje said the foundation will continue honouring those who gave their strength and health to the liberation struggle.
Nominations for October 2025 are now open through NawaZone.
According to the project’s founder, renowned lawyer Sisa Namandje, the initiative seeks to recognise those who were injured during Namibia’s liberation struggle but never gave up. He said the 24-month project, launched in May 2025, pays tribute to severely injured yet surviving former People’s Liberation Army of Namibia (PLAN) fighters who made immense sacrifices for the country’s independence. Each nominee receives a once-off payment of N$10,000 in appreciation of their bravery and service.
In a statement released through the Sisa Namandje Foundation, Namandje said Sheehama joined Swapo in 1974 and later underwent military training at the Tobias Hainyeko Training Centre.
He subsequently became part of the elite PLAN Special Unit Typhoon, which carried out high-risk operations inside Namibia.
Ambushed
In 1981, Sheehama was among the combatants who participated in the attack on Ondangwa Military Base and the nearby airport.
Three years later, in 1984, while on a mission near Nepara in the Kavango West Region, he was ambushed by South African Defence Force soldiers, sustaining severe injuries that led to the amputation of his left leg.
“Despite his injuries, Sheehama continued to demonstrate courage and loyalty to the liberation cause.
He was later captured by enemy forces due to his weakened state but survived the ordeal,” Namandje said.
He added that the award recognises Sheehama’s “bravery, sacrifices and unwavering commitment to Namibia’s independence”.
Sheehama expressed gratitude to the Swapo-led government for its continued support through war veterans’ benefits, saying he remains proud of having contributed to Namibia’s freedom.
Namandje said the foundation will continue honouring those who gave their strength and health to the liberation struggle.
Nominations for October 2025 are now open through NawaZone.
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