Also known as: former President Hifikepunye Pohamba · former president Pohamba · President Pohamba · former President Dr Hifikepunye Pohamba · Dr Hifikepunye Pohamba · President Hifikepunye Pohamba · Dr. Hifikepunye Pohamba · Second President Dr. Hifikepunye Pohamba · our second president, Hifikepunye Pohamba · Comrade President Pohamba
Former president of Namibia (2005–2015) whose wife Penehupifo championed HIV/AIDS and maternal health initiatives; recently established a community education centre in Okanghudi.
News reports
Order a long-term news report on Hifikepunye Pohamba
Every mention in the Namibian press over the period you choose, compiled as a PDF or Word document.
Key points drawn from coverage. Tap a point to see the original sentence.
The Namibian
Hifikepunye Pohamba became successor to Nujoma as president and Swapo president
“Despite having a strong military leadership background, Nujoma peacefully stepped down as president in 2005 and as Swapo president in 2007 after leading the party for 47 years, passing the torch to his successor, Hifikepunye Pohamba.”
Nujoma pushed enemies to their limits – former Plan membersThe Namibian
Hifikepunye Pohamba succeeded Sam Nujoma as president
“Amupanda began serving Nujoma in 1982 and remained by his side until Nujoma stepped down in 2005 and was succeeded by Hifikepunye Pohamba as president.”
Sam Nujoma’s Former Bodyguard Reflects on His Legacy & ServiceThe Namibian
Pohamba said late founding president Sam Nujoma was seriously ill and unable to talk during their last interaction.
“Former president Hifikepunye Pohamba said late founding president Sam Nujoma was seriously ill and unable to talk during their last interaction.”
Nujoma was ‘seriously ill’ – PohambaThe Namibian
Pohamba visited Nujoma in the hospital in January this year.
“According to Pohamba, he visited Nujoma in the hospital in January this year when he was informed that the liberation struggle icon had been hospitalised.”
Nujoma was ‘seriously ill’ – PohambaThe Namibian
Hifikepunye Pohamba returned to Namibia in 1966 with Sam Nujoma
“He recalled Nujoma's determination when presenting the case for Namibian independence to the United Nations, and his resolution to return to Namibia in 1966 with former president Hifikepunye Pohamba to prove their validity as representatives of the Namibian people.”
Muhuura pays tribute to late founding fatherThe Namibian
Former president Hifikepunye Pohamba once said he doesn't want to lead a nation of drunkards
“Former president Hifikepunye Pohamba once said he doesn't want to lead a nation of drunkards.”
Towards Proper Healthcarein NamibiaThe Namibian
Former president Hifikepunye Pohamba initiated mass housing project
“The Namibian government must revive the mass housing project initiated by former president Hifikepunye Pohamba.”
Bring Back Mass Housing ProjectsThe Namibian
Former president Hifikepunye Pohamba told his Cabinet at a review meeting in 2006 that by failing to plan they would have planned to fail
“Former president Hifikepunye Pohamba told his Cabinet at a review meeting in 2006 that by failing to plan they would have planned to fail.”
Census Shows Govt Planned to FailThe Namibian
Former president Hifikepunye Pohamba officially commissioned Erongo Desalination Plant in 2013
“Geingob said he last visited the EDP in 2013 when it was officially commissioned by former president Hifikepunye Pohamba.”
Geingob confident in green hydrogen preparednessThe Namibian
Former president Hifikepunye Pohamba came out strongly against the BIG for unemployed Namibians and others to be made universal
“Former president Hifikepunye Pohamba, for example, came out strongly against the BIG for unemployed Namibians and others to be made universal in Namibia.”
Is Namibia a Failed State?Secretary to Cabinet Emilia Mkusa says Namibia has no specific protocols governing the burial of former first spouses and is currently considering appropriate arrangements, following the death of former first lady Penehupifo Pohamba, aged 78. It remains unclear whether she will be accorded a state funeral or national honours, as the president is yet to decide.
11 hours ago · The Namibian →
Secretary to Cabinet Emilia Mkusa says Namibia has no specific protocols governing the burial of former first spouses and is currently considering appropriate arrangements, following the death of former first lady Penehupifo Pohamba, aged 78. It remains unclear whether she will be accorded a state funeral or national honours, as the president is yet to decide.
11 hours ago · The Namibian →
First Gentleman Epaphras Denga Ndaitwah attributed Namibia's exceptional performance in fighting HIV/AIDS—achieving a 97-98-98 rate and surpassing UN targets—to the dedication of the departed former First Lady Penehupifo Pohamba, who championed maternal and child healthcare, HIV/AIDS awareness, and community welfare.
21 hours ago · New Era →
Penehupifo Pohamba, who died aged 78 at a Windhoek hospital, worked as a midwife in Swapo's exile camps during the liberation struggle. Those she helped deliver, including Matilde 'Mboshono' Kulo born in 1981, remember her humanitarian commitment to ensuring women's survival during childbirth.
20 October 2026 · The Namibian →
The United States embassy in Namibia has paid tribute to former first lady Penehupifo Pohamba, praising her legacy of public service, healthcare advocacy and commitment to women's empowerment following her death.
20 October 2026 · The Namibian →
Penehupifo Pohamba, former First Lady and a nurse and midwife who championed women's empowerment and rural clinic access during her decade in State House, died on Saturday night at age 78 at the Windhoek hospital bearing her name.
19 October 2026 · New Era →
Former First Lady Penehupifo Pohamba died on 17 October 2026 at age 78, leaving a legacy of public service, women's empowerment, and advocacy for maternal and child healthcare. Pohamba served as Namibia's second First Lady from 2005 to 2015 during her husband Hifikepunye Pohamba's presidency.
19 October 2026 · Windhoek Observer →
Former First Lady Monica Geingos has described the death of her predecessor Penehupifo Pohamba as "devastating" and credited her with shaping her own tenure in the role, noting Pohamba's contributions to maternal and child health, HIV and AIDS advocacy, and the establishment of the Office of the First Spouse.
18 October 2026 · Windhoek Observer →
President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah has extended condolences to former president Hifikepunye Pohamba and his family following the death of his wife, former first lady Penehupifo Pohamba, on Saturday at age 78. Mubita announced her passing on behalf of the president and government, describing her life of service as leaving an enduring legacy.
18 October 2026 · The Namibian →
Penehupifo Pohamba, who served as Namibia's second first lady from 2005 to 2015, has died at age 78 in a northern hospital. She advocated for women's empowerment and the eradication of violence against women.
18 October 2026 · The Namibian →
Penehupifo Pohamba, wife of Namibia's second president Hifikepunye Pohamba and First Lady from 2005 to 2015, has died aged 78. A trained nurse and midwife, she focused her public advocacy on maternal and child health, women's empowerment, vulnerable communities, and Namibia's HIV and AIDS response.
18 October 2026 · Namibian Sun →
An analysis of SWAPO's position as it prepares for its 2027 elective congress, asking whether the party can develop an independent political identity beyond its founder Sam Nujoma. The ruling party retained a parliamentary majority in 2024 with 51 of 96 directly elected seats, but its support has declined from approximately 80% in 2014 to just over 53% in 2024.
16 October 2026 · Windhoek Observer →
Former president Nangolo Mbumba claims he is unaware of reported construction of a new office for him in Windhoek, contradicting an earlier government statement that it had no plans to build one. An Independent Patriots for Change lawmaker questions whether Mbumba, who served in an acting capacity and was not directly elected, should receive the same post-presidential benefits as elected former presidents.
13 October 2026 · The Namibian →
A parliamentary oversight investigation across 10 regions found Namibia's public health system under severe strain, with patients treated in tents and homes, unfinished hospital projects, medical waste in public spaces, and inadequate emergency transport. The standing committee on gender equality, health and social welfare conducted visits between July and August 2025, with the report tabled in parliament this week.
3 October 2026 · Namibian Sun →
Former President Hifikepunye Pohamba has established a community education centre at his residence in Okanghudi, providing learners and community members with books, computers, free Wi-Fi and educational materials, while calling for the establishment of centres for people with disabilities and homes for elderly people in every region.
29 September 2026 · Informanté →
President Nandi-Ndaitwah addressed the National Prayer Day Against Gender-Based Violence and Gruesome Killings in Khomas Region, emphasizing that as a nation Namibia is being haunted by different evils and seeking divine intervention for behavioural change. She noted that a similar prayer day was held 12 years earlier in 2014 under then-President Pohamba, and questioned what more must be done to address the ongoing harmful impact of violence against women and children.
15 September 2026 · The Namibian →
Namibia observed National Prayer Day across towns and villages on Saturday under the theme "Seeking Divine Intervention for Behavioural Change," with President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah warning that prayer alone cannot end gender-based violence and must be matched by government performance and action from families, communities, and institutions.
14 September 2026 · New Era →
The Central Procurement Board of Namibia cancelled a competitive tender for a veterinary cordon fence to combat foot-and-mouth disease two weeks after awarding it, then hand-picked the second-place bidder a week later. The Namibian editorial warns that such abrupt cancellations undermine transparency, expose the state to costly litigation, and raise questions about accountability in government procurement.
13 September 2026 · The Namibian →
President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah has called for protection orders under the Combating of Domestic Violence Act to be served within 24 hours without exception, as part of efforts to close implementation gaps in Namibia's gender-based violence laws. The ministry of justice is also reviewing how the Combating of Domestic Violence Act and Combating of Rape Act are applied, with attention to repeat offenders and chronic delays.
12 September 2026 · Windhoek Observer →
Vice president Lucia Witbooi has urged all Namibians, including alcohol outlets and gambling houses, to observe a National Prayer Day on 12 September across all 14 regions, focusing on behavioural change to address killings, gender-based violence, and road accidents.
2 September 2026 · The Namibian →
Lamech Mwanyangapo, a veteran camera operator at the Namibian Broadcasting Corporation who was diagnosed with multiple myeloma in 2023 and became a vocal cancer advocate through the Lamech Mwanyangapo Cancer Foundation, died on Saturday at age 61. NBC leadership paid tribute to him as a dedicated professional, compassionate colleague, and valued team member.
1 September 2026 · New Era →
President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah applied to purchase municipal land in Windhoek's Auasblick area covering six plots of about 1.8 hectares, three weeks after a security breach at State House. Council documents indicate the president cited the intrusion as a threat to her safety and has since relocated to her private house.
24 August 2026 · The Namibian →
The 57km Ondangwa-Oshikango railway line, which cost N$329 million to construct, has not operated a TransNamib train since July 2012. TransNamib attributes the suspension to reduced trade activity since the Covid-19 pandemic but says the infrastructure remains in good condition and the service has not been discontinued.
24 August 2026 · The Namibian →
President Nandi-Ndaitwah celebrated former president Hifikepunye Pohamba's 91st birthday, noting his pivotal role from colonial rule through Namibia's independence and democratic consolidation. She described his leadership as grounded in humility, reconciliation and the rule of law, and recalled his 2015 Ibrahim Prize for Achievement in African Leadership.
18 August 2026 · The Namibian →
President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah has praised former President Hifikepunye Pohamba on his 91st birthday, hailing him as a symbol of sacrifice and service through his involvement in Namibia's liberation struggle and his presidency. Nandi-Ndaitwah noted that Pohamba's life spans colonial rule, independence in 1990, and his later role strengthening democratic institutions.
18 August 2026 · Windhoek Observer →
The Hifikepunye Pohamba Community Resource Centre at Okanghudi village in the Ondobe constituency has been nominated to become a national heritage site. The proposed declaration covers three heritage features: a historic tree, a statue of former president Hifikepunye Pohamba, and the resource centre itself, which preserves presidential records from 2005 to 2015 and serves as a community research and information hub.
24 July 2026 · The Namibian →
Vasilije Boskovic, who served as Namibia's honorary consul to Serbia from 2002 to 2024, has died aged 85. The Ministry of International Relations and Trade credited him with strengthening diplomatic ties between the two countries and helping establish the Engineering Council of Namibia, with a relationship spanning over 60 years.
8 July 2026 · The Namibian →
Jerobeam Kakeke Shaanika has been appointed executive director and accounting officer of the International Relations and Trade ministry, triggering a reshuffle of Namibia's diplomatic missions in Germany, Geneva, and Malaysia. Shaanika will return from his posting as ambassador to Germany, which he took up in November 2025.
7 July 2026 · Namibian Sun →
The seventh Nkurenkuru Expo gala dinner raised N$600,500 on Saturday to support the event running from 24 July to 2 August under the theme 'Empowering Economic Growth and Celebrating Heritage'. Former president Hifikepunye Pohamba said the funds would help position the expo as a platform for jobs and business opportunities while respecting local traditions and heritage.
8 June 2026 · The Namibian →
The Sam Nujoma Foundation is completing final arrangements for its new office building in Windhoek to support its work of preserving and promoting the legacy of Namibia's first president. The foundation, established in 2004 and officially registered as a non-profit in 2005, aims to promote Nujoma's vision, ideals and contributions to the country's development.
1 June 2026 · Windhoek Observer →
Former Botswana president Festus Gontebanye Mogae, aged 86, died in Gaborone over the weekend. Namibian President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah and current Botswana President Duma Gideon Boko paid tribute to Mogae as a distinguished statesman and principled leader whose presidency strengthened regional cooperation through SADC.
11 May 2026 · New Era →