Maria David
The “Injured but not Fallen PLAN Combatants” project has nominated three new beneficiaries, all of whom served in the special military unit “Typhoon.”
The two-year initiative, which started in May 2025, provides financial assistance to severely injured former combatants of the People’s Liberation Army of Namibia (PLAN).
According to project founder Sisa Namandje, the nominations for July 2025 hold extraordinary significance because all three individuals served in the elite Typhoon unit.
“These three were specially selected for their extraordinary bravery and inspiring stories,” he said.
The three nominees—Nghipusha George Nambinga (“Kanguloshi”), Nehale Philip Nehale (“Kakodi”), and Mateus David (“David Ya Mufitu”)—each received N$10,000 from Namandje’s July salary.
The project has been running for three months, with one combatant, Gabby Kamenye, receiving N$10,000 in May. In June, three more combatants—Thomas Shaanika Shaanika (“Shinana Shiiyambo”), Timoteus Engombe (“Kahumba”), and Lisias Haimbodi (“Shafoomudilo”)—each received a similar amount.
Nghipusha George Nambinga (“Kanguloshi”), born in 1953, went into exile in 1975. Nambinga fought in numerous battles before joining the Typhoon unit in 1983.
“He suffered a permanent eye injury during a battle at a UNITA base. Despite his injuries, he insisted on joining a dangerous 1985 mission in the Otavi area,” he said.
He added that Nambinga is a retired member of the Namibian Police’s VIP division and receives veterans’ benefits.
Meanwhile, Nehale Philip Nehale (“Kakodi”), born in 1958, joined the liberation war in 1975.
He was part of the first training intake at the Tobias Hainyeko Military Training Centre and participated in several fierce battles, including one at Otofima. As a member of Typhoon, he lost a leg in a 1984 battle.
After independence, Namandje said Nehale worked as a civilian security guard before being integrated into the Namibian Police in 2007, from which he has since retired.
Mateus David (“David Ya Mufitu”), born in 1961, went into exile in 1977.
He completed his training and was deployed to the battlefront in 1978. After being involved in multiple military operations, he joined the Typhoon unit in 1981.
In 1985, he was seriously injured and captured in a battle that lasted an entire day. He remained in captivity until 1989.
