Former education, arts and culture minister Katrina Hanse-Himarwa has been honoured with a street named after her at Mariental, coinciding with her funeral service this weekend.
The deputy minister of urban and rural development, Evelyn !Nawases-Taeyele, spoke at a streetnaming ceremony in honour of Hanse-Himarwa at Mariental on Friday, ahead of the arrival of dignitaries for the former minister’s funeral service.
“I know that my mentor, role model and elder sister deeply desired to receive this recognition. This honour had been planned for a long time, but due to her health condition, she requested that the event be postponed until she was well enough to accept it personally,” !Nawases-Taeyele said.
She described the street naming as an honour befitting a national hero and a role model to young men and women who believed in her leadership.
“Her patriotism was so exemplary that she took the initiative to register for the upcoming elections, even while she was gravely ill at home. Given this level of commitment and dedication to her country,” she said.
She added that Hanse-Himarwa was celebrated for her resilience and courage in confronting adversity.
“Her early activism, particularly her advocacy against racial discrimination and for educational equality during her youth, foretold a lifetime of committed service to her nation and its citizens,” !Nawases-Tauyele said.
“She blazed trails as a pioneer, first elected as the first female regional councillor for Mariental Rural constituency, and she subsequently made history by becoming the first female to serve as the governor of the Hardap region, solidifying her legacy of leadership and dedication,” !Nawases-Taeyele continued.
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