Staff Reporter
PRESIDENT Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah has officially conferred National Hero status on Kornelius Shimuafeni, the 16-year-old boy who saved nine-month-old twins from drowning.
“It is my distinct honour to confer hero status on Kornelius Tulotokela Shimuafeni was, a 16-year-old from Omutundungu village in the Omusati Region. Kornelius acted on behalf of all Namibians without hesitation and saved the lives of our nine-month-old twins who had been thrown into a water pond on 17 May 2026. He did not wake up that morning knowing that his courage would be tested. He did not act because cameras were watching. He did not act in expectation of recognition or reward. He saw human lives in danger, and he acted,” the President said.
She made these remarks at Heroes’ Acre, where the 60th Heroes’ Day commemorations took place.
“It is important to note that today, Namibians from all 14 regions have travelled to Windhoek to commemorate Heroes’ Day as one nation, united with one heart and one mind in remembrance. Therefore, we gather today not merely to remember what happened, but to reflect upon what those sacrifices demand of us,” she said.
The President said Heroes’ Day should also prompt Namibians to reflect on the kind of country they want to build and whether it is one they can be proud of. She said Shimuafeni’s actions demonstrated the courage and selflessness required to build such a nation.
“He acted knowing well that he was putting his own life in danger. Hence, when he was asked, what if those children were going to die, his straight answer was, ‘I was going to die with them’. That is heroism. Kornelius’ story invites us, on this 60th commemoration of Heroes’ Day, to ask a deeper question: Who is a hero in the Namibia of today?”
Photo: Namibian Presidency
