Hardap Governor Salomon April has described former education minister Katrina Hanse-Himarwa as the epitome of a leader who served with distinction.

Hanse-Himarwa, aged 57, died on 14 July 2024 in a local hospital.

The governor on Wednesday said ‘As Namibians, we have lost many great leaders, and one of them was Katrina Hanse-Himarwa. She was the epitome of a leader who served with distinction.’

Former mayor of Mariental, Billy Mensah who described the late Hanse-Himarwa as a sister, said she was an open person, and sometimes people did not like the fact that she was a straight talker. ‘There were times she was not right in certain situations, but she always admitted when she was wrong. That’s how our friendship was; we constantly shared advice,’ said Mensah.

Mariental entrepreneur Maria Boois, who also served as a secretary at the Swapo office when Hanse-Himarwa worked from the office, fondly recalled, ‘She was like family to everyone and treated me as her own daughter. She was friendly, always ready to h
elp where necessary, and served as a steadfast role model for women in the Hardap Region.’

Altagracia Kheibes, a teacher and close friend of Hanse-Himarwa’s, recalled the significant contributions she made to the development of the people of the south and Namibia in general. She served as a teacher, principal, councillor, governor, and minister of basic education and had a significant impact on Namibia’s education system.

Kheibes further emphasised that the former education minister was known for her compassionate yet disciplined leadership.

Source: The Namibia News Agency