Veteran educationalist and trailblazer Maria Kusch, who broke racial barriers in the education sector, was buried in her hometown of Keetmanshoop.
She died at the age of 83.
Mourners gathered at the Roman Catholic OLPH Church at Keetmanshoop to pay their last respects to the legend of education.
An education pioneer, the late Kusch was the founding principal of Suiderlig High School in Keetmanshoop, where she laid the foundation for generations of learners.
Her trailblazing career saw her break barriers in 1978, when she became the first Black educationist appointed as a subject advisor, and later became an inspector of education in 1986.
Affectionately known as Ma Kusch, she was widely respected as a disciplinarian, compassionate mentor and a champion of both academic excellence and moral integrity.
Bishop Willem Christiaan of the Roman Catholic Diocese in Keetmanshoop said during the service, "Dedicate your life to service, especially to the poor and vulnerable. And those people of society that others don't care about, the lonely, the sick and those who need visitation. Do those meaningful things in your life, so that at the end of the day, you will find fulfilment. Those things give fulfilment because they are part of God's plan for us. If you ask yourself, 'What can I do?', the first thing is to go and do some service to the poor and the vulnerable and those people who are lonely and need some companionship. May this life, a life of service, a life of commitment, a life of love to others, may that not go unnoticed by God."
Former Principal of Suiderlig High School, Godfried Kleynhans, described Kusch's life as that of service. "Her presence carried impact and consequence; as the Bishop noted, she was here for a reason, and she lived with purpose."
Vice President Lucia Witbooi also paid tribute to the late Kusch in a message of condolences read on her behalf at a memorial service on Friday.
"Words alone cannot adequately express the sorrow I feel at this time, but I take comfort in knowing that her dedication to education and selflessness left an enduring legacy. Her dedication and service to our community will never be forgotten."