Charmaine Boois

MARIENTAL – Katrina Hanse-Himarwa, former education minister, former Hardap governor, and a teacher to many and a comrade in political circles, died on 14 July 2024. 

She was buried on Saturday, 27 July, coinciding with her husband Ghenno Himarwa’s birthday.
In the heart of Namibia’s Hardap region lies Mariental, a town recently united to bid farewell to one of its most influential daughters, fondly known as ‘Hurricane Katrina’. Her final journey home served as a poignant reflection of her extraordinary life of 57 years, defined by service, leadership and a profound connection to her community.

Life story

Hanse-Himarwa’s life story reads like an epic tale of perseverance and achievement – from her modest beginnings as a teacher while being a member of the South West Africa People’s Organisation (Swapo). 

In the years of 2004 to 20 March 2015, she became the first female governor of the Hardap region followed by serving as Namibia’s Minister of Education, Arts and Culture until 09 July 2019, when she resigned after being convicted of corruption.
Many remembered her impact as profound and far-reaching. 

Her legacy extends beyond politics, resonating deeply with the lives she touched – teachers, students, colleagues and community members who all felt the reverberations of her dedication.

On Wednesday, 26 July when her body returned to her hometown Mariental from Windhoek, it cast a sombre shadow over Hardap, resonating with mourning hymns and tears freely shed across the humble town.

People gathered in solidarity to pay their respects as her mortal remains made their final journey home to Mariental.

For her daughter, Philaney Hanse, witnessing this outpouring of love and sorrow evoked a poignant mix of emotions, serving as a bittersweet reminder of her mother’s impact on the region as her mother’s body was transported to her grandmother’s house.

“Seeing the multitude gather at her grandmother’s house and lining the streets of Mariental left an indelible impression on me,” Hanse shared with Nampa.

Respect

On the day before her remains arrived in Mariental, Vice President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah visited the Himarwa residence to pay her respects to the family in person.

On Friday, 26 July, the Mariental municipality honoured her memory by renaming a street to Katrina Hanse-Himarwa, an event she had been aware of and consented to before her passing.

This ceremony, attended by many including Namibia’s Ambassador to the US, Margaret Mensah-Williams, who was one of her close friends, deputy minister of urban and rural development Evelyn Nawases-Taeyele, Mariental mayor Cherien Kock, Hardap governor Salomon April, Mariental Urban constituency councillor Johannes Esterhuizen, chairperson of the Hardap Regional Council Gershon Dausab, and her husband, Ghenno with the family, celebrated her transformative journey from educator to governor to minister. It was a journey marked not only by accomplishments but also resilience in the face of adversity, speakers remarked.

In his acceptance speech, Himarwa expressed gratitude, stating emotionally: “My family and I want to thank the leaders in the Hardap region of the Landless People’s Movement and the Mariental municipality for ensuring my wife’s legacy will continue in Mariental.”

Mariental deputy mayor Andy Boois encouraged the community to uphold Hanse-Himarwa’s spirit of service by saying: “Let us pledge to carry forward her spirit of service in all our endeavours.”

Regional council chairperson Dausab emphasised the importance of recognising Hanse-Himarwa’s contributions.

“It’s important that we acknowledge the late Katrina Hanse-Himarwa, as she played a significant role in the lives of the people of the Hardap region,” he stated.

Kock affirmed the importance of Hanse-Himarwa’s contributions as such: “Her impact on our community is immeasurable.”

Nawases-Taeyele remarked: “Katrina was revered for her unwavering dedication to education, for the teachers she supported, and the communities she uplifted. She was not only a leader but a trailblazer who paved the way for others to follow.”

At her service, held on that Friday afternoon at Danie Joubert Combined School, tributes poured in from every corner of Namibia.
Mensah-Williams, speaking on behalf of friends and comrades, conveyed their collective gratitude for Hanse-Himarwa’s profound impact.

“Katrina was more than a friend; she embodied resilience and unwavering support. Her ability to connect with people was unparalleled,” said an emotional Mensah-Williams.

The burial took place on Saturday at the Mariental town cemetery, where former first lady Monica Geingos, President Nangolo Mbumba, Nandi-Ndaitwah and many others were present.

In the end, Katrina Hanse-Himarwa’s journey home, marked by solemn tributes and heartfelt celebrations, was more than a funeral; it was a testament to the profound impact of a life lived with purpose. As her husband eloquently put it, “Her legacy will endure in Mariental.”

How she was sent off was powerful, and will always be a bittersweet memory for the people from the Hardap region.

-Nampa