Also known as: Matias Kanana Hishoono · the late Hishoono · late Hishoono · elder Hishoono · late Kanana Hishoono · Hishono
Matias Kanana Hishoono — Swapo founding member and political adviser to founding presidents Sam Nujoma and Hifikepunye Pohamba, died January 2026 aged 89.
Matias Hishoonowas laid to restat Eenhana Heroes Shrine in Ohangwena region on Saturday
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“Liberation struggle veteran and Swapo stalwart Matias Hishoono was laid to rest on Saturday at the Eenhana Heroes Shrine in the Ohangwena region, marking the conclusion of a week-long period of national mourning.”
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah has conferred a state funeral on liberation struggle veteran and Swapo stalwart Matias Kanana Hishoono, who died at age 89. Hishoono will be laid to rest at the Eenhana Heroes Shrine on 24 January, with memorial services held on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday.
Kanana Hishoono, former secretary of the Swapo Party Elders' Council and a political advisor to founding presidents Sam Nujoma and Hifikepunye Pohamba, died on Wednesday evening. Described by liberation war colleagues and family as a dedicated fighter for independence who championed unity and fairness, Hishoono is survived by his wife and eight children.
Kanana Hishoono, a longtime SWAPO revolutionary and political organizer who brought late President Hage Geingob into the party in 1962, died in Ondangwa aged 89. He served as Secretary of the SWAPO Party Elders' Council and political adviser to former President Sam Nujoma, earning recognition as a unifier and principled leader.