Kovambo Nujoma

Kovambo Theopoldine Katjimune Nujoma (née Mushimba; born March 10, 1933[1]) is a Namibian political figure and former First Lady of Namibia.

Kovambo Nujoma
First Lady of Namibia
In role
March 21, 1990 – March 21, 2005
PresidentSam Nujoma
Preceded byRole created
Succeeded byPenehupifo Pohamba
Personal details
Born
Kovambo Theopoldine Katjimune Mushimba

(1933-03-10) March 10, 1933
Political partySWAPO
Spouse(s)Sam Nujoma (m. 1951)
RelationsAaron Mushimba (brother)
ChildrenUtoni Nujoma
John Ndeshipanda
Sakaria Nefungo
Nelago (deceased)
Usuta
Parent(s)Johannes and Kandorera Mushimba

Nujoma, who is the wife of former President Sam Nujoma, served as the inaugural First Lady of Namibia for fifteen years from the country's creation in 1990 until 2005. She has been nicknamed the "Mother of the Nation."

Biography

Nujoma was born on March 10, 1931, the daughter of Johannes and Kandorera Mushimba. Nujoma's siblings included Aaron Mushimba, a businessman and SWAPO pro-independence figure.[2][1]

She married Sam Nujoma on May 6, 1951.[3] The couple had three sons and two daughters; Utoni Nujoma (1952), John Nujoma (1954), Sakaria "Zacky" Nujoma (1957), Nelago Nujoma (1959), who died at 18 months while Nujoma was in exile, and Usuta Nujoma (1964).[3] Kovambo Nujoma remained in South-West Africa for a decade after the exile of Sam Nujoma, the leader of SWAPO and the rebel People's Liberation Army of Namibia, before joining him.[3]

Kovambo Nujoma became the inaugural First Lady of Namibia upon the country's establishment on March 21, 1990. She served as First Lady for three terms, until President Sam Nujoma retired from office on March 21, 2005.

Awards

Kovambo Nujoma was conferred the Most Brilliant Order of the Sun, First Class on Heroes' Day in 2014.[4]

References
  1. Gaomas, Surihe (14 March 2005). "Namibia: First Lady Celebrates 72nd Birthday". New Era (Namibia). AllAfrica.com. Retrieved 20 October 2021.
  2. "Aaron Mushimba – struggle icon, politician and businessman (7 December 1946 – 31 August 2014)". New Era (Namibia). 2014-09-05. Retrieved 2015-07-28.
  3. Kangueehi, Kuvee (2007-04-03). "Nujoma's Wife Marks 77th Birthday". New Era (Namibia). Retrieved 2015-07-28.
  4. "Namibians honoured by President". New Era. 28 August 2014.


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