The Anglican Diocese of Namibia held a memorial service for the late former First Lady, Penehupifo Pohamba, at Odibo St. Mary's Parish in the Ohangwena Region.

She was remembered for her humility, Christian faith and dedication to community development and maternal health.

Friends, religious leaders, former colleagues, members of the medical fraternity and family members gathered to honour Pohamba's life and legacy.

Speakers described her as a compassionate, peace-loving woman who offered guidance and support to those around her.

Born at Okatale village near Odibo, Pohamba began her career as a nurse at Odibo St Mary's Hospital before going into exile.

After independence, she championed maternal health, supporting initiatives to reduce maternal deaths and improve access to safe childbirth services.

Working with development partners, she supported the establishment of maternity waiting shelters in northern Namibia, including at Engela and Okongo.

She also initiated the construction of a maternity ward at Odibo St Mary's Hospital, although the project was only completed to its first phase.

Mourners further highlighted her unwavering Christian faith, saying her responsibilities as First Lady never compromised her spiritual commitment.

Reverend Canon Justina Hilukiluah is a former special advisor to late Pohamba.

"The Anglican Church did not hold this memorial service at Odibo merely because Pohamba was born, raised, educated and worked here. It is primarily because of her spiritual journey. She was a devoted Anglican who never allowed her role as First Lady to compromise her Christian responsibilities."

"On behalf of ELCIN,I extend our deepest Christian condolences to the Pohamba family and the entire Namibian nation following the passing of our beloved mother, Penehupifo Pohamba, former First Lady of the Republic of Namibia. Today, we stand together in sorrow.," highlighted ELCIN's General Secretary, Dr. Johannes Haufiku. 

A family member Penehupifo Ngesheya added, "Her contribution to Namibia will always be remembered. But today, I want to speak not only about the distinguished woman our nation knew, but also about the woman I knew as a mother. How do I mourn someone who was not merely a relative, but a mother in every sense of the word? She did not simply unite us through family ties; she united us through love."

The main memorial service is scheduled for Friday at the Pohamba family homestead in Okanghudi village, Ondobe Constituency, where she will also be buried on Saturday.