Mukwahepo - a forgotten heroine

The grandchildren of Auguste 'Mukwahepo' Immanuel claim that the government only took care of her after her death and while she was alive, she was forgotten.

Mukwahepo was the first Namibian woman to undergo military training under Swapo in exile in 1965, but, at the age of 53 when she was repatriated in 1989, she was not employed by the government.

In a letter read by Oscar Hauwanga on behalf of the grandchildren, they said sadder still was that none of her children was “employed on her behalf as a token of appreciation”.

“We appeal to the government… Mukwahepo was the first woman to be trained militarily by Swapo but she was not employed after independence. We, the grandsons and -daughters of Mukwahepo, are also not employed by the government. When our grandmother was alive only few political leaders assisted her. Now they come out when she is dead.”

The grandchildren said they appreciated the gesture by the government to accord her a state funeral, but they urged the ministry of veterans' affairs to speed up its benefits programme so veterans could enjoy benefits while still living.

Over the weekend, and on Saturday at the burial, many Namibians gathered at the Eenhana Shrine to pay their last respects to Mukwahepo.

Hauwanga said veterans of the liberation struggle are dying daily without getting their benefits from the ministry.

“We feel that it is necessary to support these people. The veterans of the struggle are dying day by day without getting any support. The ministry should assist these veterans while they are alive. Their projects are very slow,” he said.

Mukwahepo died earlier this month at the age of 81. According to former president Hifikepunye Pohamba, she joined Swapo in 1963 and went into exile in 1965 and not 1964 as documented. She became the first Namibian woman to undergo military training under Swapo, and specialised in infantry in 1965.

President Hage Geingob spoke about Mukwahepo's outstanding achievements and noble qualities. Geingob said she was a heroine in two ways, a loving mother and grandmother and to the liberation struggle she was a pioneer and trailblazer by becoming the first woman to undergo military training.

“That is a great achievement because at that time, the military was meant for men, and this qualifies her to carry the title of heroine of our armed struggle.”

She is not an ordinary freedom fighter and not an ordinary mother. She was an extraordinary person who broke through barriers and stigma,” Geingob said.

Geingob said Mukwahepo went into exile at a time when most saw motherhood as a woman's primary role. She decided to chart a new course in her life's journey and she inspired other Namibian women to go into exile and join the struggle.

“While in exile she always demonstrated her inner qualities of motherhood. She started taking care of the children of other freedom fighters who were at the front, or those who went sent for studies, and the weak. After independence she became the provider of her household. When many are complaining about the burden of raising children, Mukwahepo used her veteran's allowance to take care of 15 children, some of deceased relatives, some orphans and some she brought from exile,” he said.

Pohamba said he first met Mukwahepo in 1965 in Lusaka, Zambia. She was then sent for training at the Kongwa training centre in Tanzania.

Founding President Sam Nujoma, in a speech read on his behalf by Vice-President Nangolo Mbumba, said he first met Mukwahepo in 1965 to facilitate her transit to Tanzania with the first group of Swapo members including the likes of Augustus Nghaamwa and Julius Shilongo. He said the government built her a veteran's house which was furnished by former prime minister Nahas Angula.

Mukwahepo was born at Onengali in the Ohangwena Region and after independence she settled at Omhedi, where she lived until her death on 7 June.

ILENI NANDJATO