Windhoek:Former diplomat and veteran Ambassador Tuliameni Kalomoh has expressed his grief over the passing of former First Lady Penehupifo "Kambosho" Pohamba. Describing her death as a devastating blow to the nation and to those who shared her journey from childhood through the liberation struggle, Kalomoh mourned the loss of his lifelong friend.

According to Namibia Press Agency, Pohamba passed away on Saturday night in Windhoek following an illness. She was 78. Kalomoh spoke about his long history with the late First Lady outside the residence of former President Hifikepunye Pohamba, where mourners gathered to pay their respects.

Kalomoh recalled their shared childhood at St. Mary's Mission in Odibo, highlighting that she graduated ahead of him and pursued a career in nursing at St. Mary's Hospital. He emphasized the influence of her disciplined upbringing, noting her father's role as a school teacher.

Their paths intertwined during the struggle for Namibia's independence. Kalomoh recounted crossing into Angola on September 1, 1974, where he met Penehupifo Pohamba with her first husband, Malakia, and their young child, Waldheim. He remembered their joint efforts in the liberation movement across Southern Africa, meeting periodically in Zambia and Angola until Namibia gained independence.

In independent Namibia, Pohamba worked as a nurse at a government hospital and contributed to nation-building efforts alongside the first President, Sam Nujoma. Her dedication to her country's freedom and development left a lasting impact.