Penehupifo Pohamba, who served as Namibia’s First Lady from 2005 to 2015, died in hospital on Saturday, October 17, 2026. She was 78. Her death was announced the following day by Minister Charles Mubita on behalf of President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, who called it a painful loss for the family and a moment of sadness for the nation.
A career in nursing
Before entering public life, Pohamba built a career in healthcare as a registered nurse and midwife, work that earned her the affectionate description of a “nurse of the nation” in the Namibian press. That background shaped the causes she took up when her husband became head of state.
First Lady of Namibia
She became Namibia’s second First Lady when her husband, Hifikepunye Pohamba, succeeded Sam Nujoma as president in 2005, and held the role through his two terms until 2015. She founded the Organisation for the Empowerment of Widows, Widowers and Orphans of HIV/AIDS, which supported families affected by the epidemic at a time when Namibia had one of the highest infection rates in the world.
Family
She is survived by her husband, the former president, and their five children. Details of her funeral were to be announced by the government.