Staff Reporter
PRESIDENT Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah is expected to officially confer National Hero status on Cornelius Shimwaafeni, the 16-year-old boy from Omutundungu Village in the Omusati Region who saved nine-month-old twins from drowning in May 2026.
The announcement was made by the Ministry of Information and Communication Technology’s Acting Senior Public Relations Officer, Matty Kaminzi, who revealed that the President will confer the honour on Shimwaafeni on Heroes’ Day, 26 August 2026.
Kaminzi said this year’s Heroes’ Day commemorative programme will commence on 24 August 2026 with the reburial of eight liberation heroes at Heroes’ Acre in Windhoek.
“Those to be honoured are the late Eliaser Tuhadeleni (Kahumba Kandola), Hafeni Immanuel Shifidi, Nduuvu Filemon Nangolo, Simon Petrus Niilenge, Festus Nehale, Tobias Hainyeko (symbolic), Brendan Simbwaye (symbolic), and Nathaniel Maxuilili. The occasion will serve as a moment of remembrance, healing and national gratitude,” Kaminzi said.
Kaminzi also revealed that President Nandi-Ndaitwah will confer additional national honours on more individuals on 25 August 2026. According to Kaminzi, the President is expected to confer national honours on more than 1,000 individuals in recognition of their contributions to Namibia’s liberation struggle and the attainment of independence.
The commemorations will then conclude with the official national Heroes’ Day ceremony on 26 August 2026, during which the President will lead the nation in paying tribute to Namibia’s heroes and heroines and confer National Hero status on Shimwaafeni.
“Held under the theme ‘Built on Bravery, Bound for a Prosperous Future’, this year’s commemorations will honour the men and women whose courage and sacrifice secured Namibia’s freedom and independence while reaffirming the nation’s commitment to preserving their legacy for future generations,” Kaminzi added.
Photo: NBC Digital News
