A 16-year-old boy from Omutundungu village in the Omusati region is set to make history by becoming one of Namibia's youngest citizens to be conferred a hero's status.

Young Cornelius Shimwaafeni recently saved the lives of two 9-month-old twins in a deliberate drowning incident at a local pond at the hands of their mother. 

President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah announced that Shimwaafeni will be awarded hero status for his courageous act.

The president's announcement follows an NBC News report detailing how Shimwaafeni saved the infants.

"In my capacity as President of the Republic of Namibia and the power invested in me by the Namibian constitution, I have decided to honour Cornelius Shimwaafeni as a national hero. All legal processes to confer that honour will be worked out with the family, and it will be at a state-organised ceremony. It's not a small thing; we must all embrace it."

As the president announced her decision to thousands of people that gathered at the 16th edition of the annual omagongo festival, the crowds ululated and clapped hands in concurrence with the president's decision.

The video detailing Shimwaafeni's heroics on NBC news social media platforms garnered thousands of comments calling for his recognition.

"I was touched by his response when somebody asked him, 'What were you thinking when you jumped in that water to save those babies?' His response was very quick; he said, 'I just said to myself, if these babies are going to die, I will die with them,' them,"highlighted Nandi-Ndaitwah.

Dr Nandi-Ndaitwah added that further details of the conferring ceremony will be announced in due course. 

Oshana Governor Hofni Iipinge at the event lauded Nandi-Ndaitwah's decision.