In the olden days, First Ladies or companions of presidents were simply regarded as trophy wives.

But nowadays they have become influential in the inner circle of the Presidency. 

A black-and-white picture from before independence shows the image of the couple who would become Namibia's first citizens.

On March 21, 1990, Namibia celebrated its independence, and Sam Shafiishuna Nujoma took an oath as the country's first president.