Namibia Minute.
Friday, 24 April 2026
A daily Namibian brief · Est. 2026
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Person

Erkki Nghimtina

Also known as: comrade Erkki Nghimtina · comrade Erkki · Nghimtina · Erki nghimtina · Johannes Nghimtina · comrade Nghimtina · former defence minister Erkki Nghimtina · Nghimtima · former minister Erkki Nghimtina · Cde Nghimtina · the late liberation struggle veteran Erkki Nghimtina · the late Nghimtina · Erkki Dineinge Nghidipohamba Nghimtina · liberation struggle stalwart · Colonel (retired) Nghimtina · late Nghimtina · late former minister · late Erkki Nghimtina

Liberation struggle veteran and former Cabinet minister (defence, mines and energy, works and transport, labour) who served in the National Assembly 1995–2020 and died in February 2026.

Politics

President mourns liberation fighter Erkki Nghimtina at memorial service

The News

President Nandi-Ndaitwah delivered a tribute to Erkki Nghimtina, who went into exile in 1974 to join the liberation struggle, served in the People's Liberation Army of Namibia and the Namibian Defence Force, and later held ministerial positions in defence, mines and energy, works and transport, and labour after independence.

25 February 2026 · The Namibian

Wednesday 25 February

  1. President mourns liberation fighter Erkki Nghimtina at memorial service

    President Nandi-Ndaitwah delivered a tribute to Erkki Nghimtina, who went into exile in 1974 to join the liberation struggle, served in the People's Liberation Army of Namibia and the Namibian Defence Force, and later held ministerial positions in defence, mines and energy, works and transport, and labour after independence.

    25 February 2026 · The Namibian

Tuesday 24 February

  1. Former Cabinet minister Erkki Nghimtina laid to rest

    Liberation hero and former Cabinet minister Erkki Nghimtina was buried at Eenhana Memorial Shrine on Saturday, with Vice President Lucia Witbooi, Cabinet ministers and senior government officials in attendance. President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah praised him as a courageous cadre who served the nation with selfless dedication.

    24 February 2026 · The Namibian

Monday 23 February

  1. Liberation struggle veteran Erkki Nghimtina laid to rest

    Former Cabinet minister Erkki Nghimtina, aged 78, was buried at the Eenhana memorial shrine on Saturday after passing away on 8 February. Political leaders praised him as a disciplined, loyal servant of Namibia who served in government from 1997 to 2020.

    23 February 2026 · New Era

Sunday 22 February

  1. Angula pays tribute to late liberation veteran Nghimtina

    Nahas Angula, chairperson of the Sam Nujoma Foundation, has paid tribute to the late Erkki Nghimtina, a liberation struggle veteran and trustee of the Foundation who passed away on 8 February 2026. Angula described Nghimtina's death as a significant loss to the nation and Foundation, hailing his dedication to Namibia's liberation and governance and his contribution to preserving the legacy of Founding President Sam Nujoma.

    22 February 2026 · Informanté

  2. President directs military funeral for Nghimtina despite Cabinet moratorium

    Retired colonel and former defence minister Erkki Nghimtina (78) received a military funeral at the direction of President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, despite a Cabinet moratorium on official funerals that runs until 31 March 2026. The decision has drawn scrutiny from a social activist who argues that military honours should not be automatic for Swapo veterans and former ministers and must be governed by statutory law rather than political motivation.

    22 February 2026 · The Namibian

  3. Former Swapo Communications Director Erkki Nghimtina Dies

    Erkki Nghimtina, who rose to director of communications for Swapo's People's Liberation Army of Namibia (Plan) during the armed struggle and played a key operational role in military engagements against colonial forces, has died at his homestead in Edundja. He was born in 1948 and survived by four of his 12 siblings and 18 of his 19 children.

    22 February 2026 · The Namibian

  4. Former Defence Minister Erkki Nghimtina laid to rest

    President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah delivered a condolence message at the military memorial for former Cabinet Minister Erkki Nghimtina, honouring his contributions to Namibia's liberation struggle and his service in defence, mines and energy, works and transport, and labour portfolios. His burial took place at the Eenhana Memorial Shrine.

    22 February 2026 · Informanté

Saturday 21 February

  1. Namibia remembers liberation hero Erkki Nghimtina

    Former President Nangolo Mbumba and SWAPO Party Secretary-General Sophia Shaningwa paid tribute to late freedom fighter Erkki Nghimtina at his military memorial service in Omahenge, describing him as a hero who carried the burden of the struggle without wavering. Nghimtina died on 8 February, a month that has seen the deaths of several prominent Namibian figures including Founding President Sam Nujoma and President Hage Geingob in previous years.

    21 February 2026 · Informanté

Friday 20 February

  1. Former minister Erkki Nghimtina honoured at traditional ceremony

    A military memorial service for former minister Erkki Nghimtina took place at his traditional homestead in Omahenge village, with mourners gathering despite difficult weather conditions. Learners from a nearby school lined the road to pay their respects as the body was transported from the mortuary to the deceased's residence.

    20 February 2026 · Informanté

  2. VP Witbooi to lead tributes at Nghimtina memorial service

    Vice President Lucia Witbooi will represent President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah and deliver a tribute at the military memorial service of former minister Erkki Dineinge Nghidipohamba Nghimtina on Friday in Ohangwena Region, joined by former presidents Nangolo Mbumba and Hifikepunye Pohamba. Nghimtina, a liberation struggle veteran who served as parliamentarian and minister for close to three decades, died earlier this month aged 78, with his burial scheduled for Saturday at Eenhana Memorial Shrine.

    20 February 2026 · Informanté

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