Helvi Mpingana Kondombolo

Helvi Mpingana Kondombolo, affectionately known as Kuku GwaKondo (March 1898–26 November 2008) was the mother of Namibian founding president Sam Nujoma and one of the oldest people of Namibia.^[1]

She was a member of the Uukwambi dynasty of the Ovambo people and stems from Etunda. In December 1927 she was baptised and married to Daniel Uutoni Nujoma. They had eleven children of which Sam Nujoma was the first-born.^[2]

Kondombolo died in 2008 at the age of 110. Her state funeral was attended by president Hifikepunye Pohamba of Namibia, former president Kenneth Kaunda of Zambia, and many other high-ranking politicians.^[3] A cultural village museum near Tsumeb is named after her.^[4]

References

1. "Tausende erweisen "Mama Nujoma" letzte Ehre" [Thousands give last honour to "Mama Nujoma"]. Allgemeine Zeitung (in German). 8 December 2008. Retrieved 25 July 2012.
2. Hilukilwa, Placido (8 December 2008). "Namibië begrawe sy volksmoeder" [Namibia buries her mother of the nation]. Die Republikein (in Afrikaans).
3. Shivute, Oswald (8 December 2008). "Kuku Gwakondo Buried With State Honours". The Namibian. via accessmylibrary.com. Retrieved 25 July 2012.
4. "Helvi Mpingana Kondombolo Cultural Village". The Cardboard Box Travel Shop. Retrieved 25 July 2012.

External links

• Shivute, Oswald (4 December 2008). "Kuku GwaKondo ota fumvikwa pOneeke mOlyomakaya". The Namibian (in Oshivambo). Retrieved 25 July 2012.
• Shivute, Oswald (11 December 2008). "Kuku GwaKondo okwa lya iipyu niitalala, Omupresidende Pohamba ta ti". The Namibian (in Oshivambo). Retrieved 25 July 2012.