Matias Hishoono

Also known as: Comrade Hishoono · Hishoono · Kanana · Kanana Hishoono · liberation hero · Matias Kanana Hishoono · the late Hishoono · late national liberation hero · late Hishoono · elder Hishoono · late Kanana Hishoono · Kanana Hishono · Hishono

Matias Kanana Hishoono — Swapo founding member and political adviser to founding presidents Sam Nujoma and Hifikepunye Pohamba, died January 2026 aged 89.

Politics

President honours deceased liberation struggle veteran Matias Hishoono

The News

President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah attended the funeral of former presidential adviser Matias Hishoono, who died at 94, describing him as an icon and dedicated servant who contributed extensively to Namibia's liberation struggle and nation-building. Hishoono had served as adviser to founding presidents Sam Nujoma and Hifikepunye Pohamba, and as headman of Onambutu Village until his death.

27 January 2026 · The Namibian →

Tuesday 27 January

President honours deceased liberation struggle veteran Matias Hishoono
President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah attended the funeral of former presidential adviser Matias Hishoono, who died at 94, describing him as an icon and dedicated servant who contributed extensively to Namibia's liberation struggle and nation-building. Hishoono had served as adviser to founding presidents Sam Nujoma and Hifikepunye Pohamba, and as headman of Onambutu Village until his death.
27 January 2026 · The Namibian →

Monday 26 January

Liberation struggle icon Kanana Hishoono laid to rest
Swapo co-founder and political advisor Kanana Hishoono (89) was buried at Eenhana Memorial Shrine on Saturday, with President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah praising his unwavering commitment to Namibia's liberation struggle and legacy of selfless dedication. Hishoono, who also served as headman of Onambutu village in Ohangwena region and died on 14 January, was remembered by mourners and political leaders as a founding figure in the national liberation movement.
26 January 2026 · New Era →
PM praises teachers as foundation of Namibia's future
Prime Minister Elijah Ngurare commended teachers for their dedication to shaping Namibia's young people, describing teaching as the foundation of all professions and noting that an educated nation is essential for sustainable development. He assured stakeholders of government's commitment to creating equitable learning environments and urged education officials to prioritise implementation over rhetoric.
26 January 2026 · New Era →

Sunday 25 January

Former presidents honour deceased liberation hero Kanana Hishoono
Former presidents Hifikepunye Pohamba and Nangolo Mbumba paid tributes to Swapo founding member Kanana Hishoono at his memorial service, describing him as a unifier and principled servant who played a critical role in Namibia's liberation struggle and later served as political adviser to founding president Sam Nujoma. Hishoono, who died on 14 January at age 89, was one of the few remaining original torchbearers of Namibia's independence movement.
25 January 2026 · The Namibian →
Liberation struggle veteran Matias Hishoono laid to rest
Swapo stalwart and liberation struggle veteran Matias Hishoono was laid to rest at the Eenhana Heroes Shrine in Ohangwena, with hundreds of mourners including government officials, traditional leaders and party members paying tribute to his lifelong commitment to Namibia's independence and nation-building.
25 January 2026 · The Namibian →

Saturday 24 January

Namibia failing to honour war veterans, says opinion writer
An opinion piece argues that Namibia's government is disrespecting war veterans through inadequate burial rites, citing the case of Swapo founding member Kanana Hishoono who is being buried at Eenhana shrine rather than Heroes Acre, and raising questions about who decides burial status for liberation struggle fighters.
24 January 2026 · The Namibian →
PM Ngurare praises teachers as nation-builders and role models
Prime Minister Elijah Ngurare commended teachers for their dedication to educating Namibia's youth, describing teaching as the foundation of all professions. He emphasised the government's commitment to equitable learning environments and called on education officials to prioritise implementation of educational policies across all 121 constituencies.
24 January 2026 · The Namibian →
Namibians honour liberation hero Matias Kanana Hishoono
Matias Kanana Hishoono, a founding member of Owamboland People's Organisation (OPO) which evolved into Swapo, died on 14 January aged 89. Senior government officials and thousands of mourners gathered at his village for a memorial service, with a state funeral planned for Saturday at Eenhana Shrine.
24 January 2026 · The Namibian →

Thursday 22 January

President meets northern region leaders on 2026 agenda
President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah convened leaders from eight northern regions to discuss the 2026 work agenda, emphasizing collective responsibility and urging them to move away from perceptions of regional disparities. She also raised concerns about parliamentary inefficiency due to obstructions halting legislation and announced a state funeral for late liberation veteran Kanana Hishoono.
22 January 2026 · New Era →
Liberation veteran Hishoono's death prompts reflection on leadership values
The death of liberation struggle veteran Kanana Hishoono is framed as an occasion to reflect on the humility and service that defined liberation leaders, and to question whether those values still guide current leadership. The writer argues that liberation veterans deserve honour but not unchecked authority, and calls for renewal of the humility and accountability that once characterised the movement, warning that legitimacy cannot rest on past sacrifice alone.
22 January 2026 · The Namibian →