The former Minister of Education, Arts, and Culture, Katrina Hanse-Himarwa, died early this morning at the age of 57, after a battle with cancer.

Family and close friends gathered at the Hanse-Himarwa residence in the capital to grieve the death of the renowned politician.

Those who gathered described her as a formidable politician and a passionate educator.

Hanse-Himarwa's prominence in the political sphere started after she concluded her term as a Swapo party councillor overseeing the Mariental Rural constituency in the Hardap Region.

She then became the governor of the region. 

In 2015, she was one of the eight presidential appointees to the 6th National Assembly.

Later, she was appointed to the ministerial portfolio as Education Minister by the late Dr. Hage Geingob.

She, however, resigned from her ministerial position in 2019 after she was convicted of corruption.

But the Swapo Party Central Committee member was also a mother and a wife.

Her husband, Ghenno Himarwa, describes his late wife as a strong woman, one with character, spirit, and personality who withstood many hardships and obstacles.

"It is not easy to lose a wife, but it does not come as a shock; we knew she was sick, we went through a lot, and I was 100% involved. But she was well most of the time, and I just did not expect she would go this soon. I think it is a big loss for my family because she was a person who was guiding this family with direction; we must move, and most of the time, she was taking care of the household, the grandchildren, and even myself."

Her unwavering strength, compassion, and the joy she brought will forever be remembered, said Himarwa while asking for prayers during this difficult time.

Soon to arrive was the former Swapo Party Secretary General, Pendukeni Ivula-Ithana, who said Hanse-Himarwa was a person of strong character.

Hanse Himarwa served under Ithana as governor of the Hardap Region and is applauded for reinvigorating a positive political climate in the region.

"Katrina was not a pushover, not at all; when she decides, she decides, and that really put my mind at ease as secretary general of the party when I knew that Comrade Katrina was in charge of that region." 

A former Swapo party member and now the leader of the Landless People's Movement, Bernadus Swartboooi, also visited the Hanse-Himarwa residence.

Swartbooi said that Katrina was a politician to be reckoned with, one who was not afraid to articulate her stance on matters deemed difficult.

"One of the clear achievements I think that Katrina will be remembered for was that the Ministry of Education began to find a new level of energy when she took over; that energy was personally instilled by her, and that energy was contagious to even the teachers on the ground."

The Ministry of Education, Arts, and Culture's Executive Director, Sanet Steenkamp, described the late Hanse-Himarwa as a symbol of hope for the marginalised. 

She says the former minister believed in inclusivity and unity, further describing the late Hanse-Himarwa as a leader who was not hesitant to assert authority.

"She was not just visionary in her leadership; she was inclusive; she believed in the diversity of our people, the children; her beauty is that she allowed decision-making after consultation."