Also known as: comrade Erkki Nghimtina · comrade Erkki · Erki nghimtina · comrade Nghimtina · former defence minister Erkki Nghimtina · Nghimtima · former minister Erkki Nghimtina · the late liberation struggle veteran Erkki Nghimtina · the late Nghimtina · Erkki Dineinge Nghidipohamba Nghimtina · Colonel (retired) Nghimtina · late Nghimtina · late Erkki Nghimtina · former government minister 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.
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The Namibian
Erkki Nghimtina served as a member of the National Assembly from 1995 to 2020
“After independence, he joined the Namibian Defence Force with a rank of colonel until 1995, when he joined active politics, serving as a member of the National Assembly from 1995 to 2020.”
A Tribute to Erkki Nghimtina (1947-2026)The Namibian
Erkki Nghimtina held various Cabinet portfolios from 2005 to 2020, including deputy minister of defence and minister of defence
“He held various Cabinet portfolios from 2005 to 2020, first as deputy minister of defence, minister of defence, minister of mines and energy and minister of works and transport.”
A Tribute to Erkki Nghimtina (1947-2026)The Namibian
Erkki Nghimtina spearheaded the restructuring of the Namibian diamond industry
“He will be remembered as a man who spearheaded the restructuring of the Namibian diamond industry, which resulted in Namibian diamonds being cut and polished locally, doing away with exporting raw diamonds.”
A Tribute to Erkki Nghimtina (1947-2026)The Namibian
Erkki Nghimtina played a role in the establishment of Epangelo Mining, a state enterprise in 2009
“He also played a role in the establishment of Epangelo Mining, a state enterprise in 2009.”
A Tribute to Erkki Nghimtina (1947-2026)Informanté
Erkki Nghimtina died on 8 February at the age of 78
“THREE memorial services for former minister Erkki Nghimtina, who died on 8 February at the age of 78, will be held for three consecutive days at his residence in Edundja village, Oshikango Constituency, Ohangwena Region, to be followed by his Military Funeral at the Eenhana Memorial Shrine on Saturday.”
Late Nghimtina to be laid to rest at the Eenhana Shrine on SaturdayInformanté
Erkki Nghimtina served as head of communications of the Namibian Defence Force from 1990 with rank of Colonel
“Nghimtina joined the government at independence in 1990 as the head of communications of the newly created Namibian Defence Force (NDF) with the rank of Colonel.”
Late Nghimtina to be laid to rest at the Eenhana Shrine on SaturdayThe Namibian
Erkki Nghimtina died on 8 February
“Nghimtina died on 8 February, and will be laid to rest on 21 February at the Eenhana Shrine in the Ohangwena region, a historic monument that pays tribute to the heroes and heroines of Namibia's liberation struggle.”
Nghimtina to receive military funeralThe Namibian
Nghimtina was regarded as a seasoned Swapo figure
“Nghimtina served in various capacities in the government and was regarded as a seasoned Swapo figure, having played a role in Namibia's liberation struggle.”
Nghimtina to receive military funeralInformanté
Erkki Nghimtina passed away at his home in Edundja village, Ohangwena Region, at age 78
“NAMIBIA has lost a distinguished liberation fighter and national leader with the passing of former Minister Erkki Nghimtina at his home in Edundja village, Ohangwena Region.”
From liberation fighter to national leader: Tributes for late Minister Erkki NghimtinaNew Era
Erkki Nghimtina died on Sunday at age 78
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 →
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 →
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 →
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 →
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 →
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 →
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 →
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 →
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 →
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 →
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 →
The first of three memorial services for late former minister and liberation struggle figure Erkki Nghimtina took place at his residence in Omahenge village, Oshikango Constituency. Two further services are scheduled for Thursday and Friday, with a military funeral planned for Saturday at the Eenhana Memorial Shrine.
19 February 2026 · Informanté →
Erkki Nghimtina, a liberation struggle icon who served as defence minister and member of Parliament, has died at age 77. His burial will take place at the Eenhana Shrine on Saturday, with a military funeral confirmed and senior government officials expected to attend.
18 February 2026 · New Era →
Erkki Nghimtina, who was born in 1947 and died in 2026, served as a member of the National Assembly from 1995 to 2020 and held various Cabinet portfolios including minister of defence, minister of mines and energy, and minister of works and transport. He was also a liberation struggle veteran who served in Swapo's military wing and later spearheaded the restructuring of Namibia's diamond industry to enable local cutting and polishing.
18 February 2026 · The Namibian →
Former minister and liberation struggle veteran Colonel (retired) Erkki Nghimtina, who died on 8 February aged 78, will be accorded a Military Funeral at the Eenhana Memorial Shrine on Saturday, following three consecutive memorial services at his residence in Edundja village.
18 February 2026 · Informanté →
President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah has arranged a military funeral for late Swapo Cabinet minister and liberation struggle veteran Erkki Nghimtina, who died on 8 February and will be buried on 21 February at the Eenhana Shrine in Ohangwena. A series of memorial events, including Swapo Party, community, and state services, will precede the burial.
16 February 2026 · The Namibian →
Namibia has lost liberation fighter and former Minister Erkki Nghimtina, who died at his home in Edundja village at the age of 78. He served in multiple ministerial positions including Defence, Works and Transport, and Mines and Energy, and played a significant role in PLAN's military communications during the independence struggle.
11 February 2026 · Informanté →
Erkki Nghimtina, a former Cabinet minister who served in the National Assembly from 1995 to 2020 and held various ministerial portfolios including mines and energy, works and transport, and labour, died on Sunday. He played a significant role in Namibia's independence struggle and military history before transitioning to politics after retiring from active military service in 1995.
10 February 2026 · New Era →
President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah has mourned the death of Erkki Nghimtina, a liberation struggle veteran and former Cabinet and Parliament member who died on 8 February 2026 at age 78. Nghimtina served as MP from 1995 to 2020 and held several government portfolios including Defence, Mines and Energy, and Labour and Industrial Relations.
10 February 2026 · Informanté →
President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah has paid tribute to former Cabinet minister and long-serving MP Erkki Nghimtina, who died at age 77, describing him as a dedicated national leader and freedom fighter who served in various ministerial roles and fought in exile for Namibian independence.
10 February 2026 · The Namibian →
Erkki Nghimtina, a former defence minister and liberation struggle veteran who served in the National Assembly and various cabinet roles, has died at Edundja village in Ohangwena region. Defence and veterans affairs minister Frans Kapofi described him as an outstanding leader who played a key role in Namibia's independence.
9 February 2026 · The Namibian →
Erkki Nghimtina, a former minister who fought in Namibia's liberation struggle and later headed the Defence, Mines and Energy, Works and Transport, and Labour ministries over a 25-year political career, has died at his home in Ohangwena Region aged 79.
9 February 2026 · Informanté →
Erkki Nghimtina, a long-serving former government minister and National Assembly member (1995–2020), died on Sunday at Edundja village in Ohangwena region. He held ministerial roles in defence, mines and energy, works and transport, and labour, and was an independence struggle veteran who went into exile with Swapo in 1974.
9 February 2026 · The Namibian →
Erkki Nghimtina, a former Minister of Works and Transport, has died at his homestead in Edundja village in the Ohangwena region. He was 78 years old.
9 February 2026 · New Era →