Kornelius Shimuafeni, the young boy who was accorded heroes' status by President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, said he never expected to be honoured for his deed.

For him, it was an act of compassion for fellow human beings in need.

16-year-old Kornelius Shimuafeni has been conferred the award of the Most Distinguished Order, third class, for saving the lives of nine-month-old twin babies from drowning.

When one hears the word hero, names from the Namibian's liberation struggle quickly come to mind.

However, for some Namibians, their heroes are not found in history books or on monuments but at home, in places where sacrifices, love and courage are part of everyday life.