Windhoek
Social media was abuzz yesterday with grief and condolence messages when news broke yesterday morning that popular and beloved media personality, Nancy Muinjo better known as Chi-Chi has passed on after a six-year battle with cancer.
One of her co-workers, Sacky Kadhikwa, the public relations officer at the Ministry of Home Affairs and Immigration, expressed grief at her passing on behalf of the team. Kadhikwa considered her as someone with a vibrant personality, who never showed any weakness. “It was saddening to hear of her passing. We have lost a valuable asset at the ministry. She was a very strong person, and never complained about her health. She was always positive and always helpful. She will be missed.” Besides being a media personality, Chi-Chi was also a member of the Swapo Party Youth League (SPYL).SPYL Secretary of International Affairs Eddie Kafita, who worked closely with Chi-Chi, said she was actively involved in the party. “She understood politics and was also keen to learn. She was a very strong young lady who was a strong believer in what she wanted.”Kafita recalled Chi-Chi saying she was tired but always believed that cancer would not hold her back. “She was such a determined person and very well-regarded.”
According to close relatives, Chi-Chi was at stage four since 2013 – the most advanced stage of cancer – and has been in and out of hospital.
At the time of her death, Chi-Chi was an NBC-TV freelance presenter and a Personal Assistant to Home Affairs and Immigration Minister Pendukeni Iivula-Ithana.
“I knew she was not okay but the news came as a shock. She always encouraged me to graduate, so she can be an emcee at my graduation but the time I graduated she was in hospital. It’s better she rest in peace. She was my sister, an inspiration,” said one of her closest friends, Liddy Shirunga.
Chi-Chi recently created a Youtube channel to share her experiences with cancer, as well as moving stories about her fight against the disease.
When asked in an interview with New Era last year on how she was dealing with cancer, Chi-Chi fearlessly responded saying “I choose not to look at it as a curse but rather a blessing that has allowed me the opportunity to raise awareness and in the process inspire others to continue fighting as so many people choose not to talk about this disease although they are affected.”
She died at the age of 29 and was doing her masters and MBA in media at the University of Namibia.