This is a list of Namibians who are famous.

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Artists

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Visual artists

  • Dieter Aschenborn, wildlife painter and designer of postal stamps
  • Hans Aschenborn, wildlife painter and illustrator
  • Uli Aschenborn, wildlife painter and sculptor
  • Margaret Courtney-Clarke, documentary photographer
  • Koos van Ellinckhuijzen (1942–2016), painter, designer of postal stamps and graphic designer
  • Tony Figueira (1959–2017), photographer
  • Joel Haikali, film director
  • Oshosheni Hiveluah, film director and writer
  • Tim Huebschle, film director and screenwriter
  • Adolph Jentsch, painter
  • Perivi Katjavivi, film director
  • Helga Kohl, photographer
  • Nicky Marais, painter
  • Cecil Moller, film director
  • Kerry McNamara (1940–2017), architect
  • John Muafangejo (1943–1987), woodcutter and linocutter
  • Richard Pakleppa, film director and screenwriter
  • Bridget Pickering, film producer
  • Wilhelm Sander (1860–1930), architect
  • Max Siedentopf, artist

Literary artists

  • Joseph Diescho (born 1955), novelist
  • Dorian Haarhoff, poet
  • Mvula ya Nangolo, journalist and poet
  • Sylvia Schlettwein, literary critic and short story author
  • Christi Warner, performance poet, playwright

Performing artists

  • Nǃxau ǂToma, bush farmer and actor
  • Atushe, Kizomba singer
  • Beate Baumgartner, pop singer
  • Sally Boss Madam, musician, songwriter
  • D-Naff, rapper
  • The Dogg, musician, songwriter
  • EES, rapper
  • Exit, musician
  • Gal Level, musician
  • Gazza, musician, songwriter
  • Jericho, rapper
  • Big Ben Kandukira, guitarist
  • Jackson Kaujeua, singer
  • Stefan Ludik, musician
  • Lady May, musician, dancer
  • Riana Nel, singer-songwriter
  • Nianell, musician
  • Franja du Plessis, pop singer, actress
  • Juanita du Plessis, country singer
  • Quido, rapper
  • Ras Sheehama, singer
  • Stella, pop singer
  • Sunny Boy, rapper, lyricist, songwriter
  • TeQuila, singer
  • Top Cheri, singer
  • Tre Van Die Kasie, kwaito singer
  • Shishani Vranckx (born 1987), singer
  • Christi Warner, singer, television presenter

Businesspeople

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  • Tom Alweendo, Head of the National Planning Commission
  • Tangeni Amupadhi, editor of The Namibian
  • Johnny Doeseb, owner of Eleven Arrows F.C. in Walvis Bay
  • Johannes ǃGawaxab, governor of the Bank of Namibia
  • Monica Geingos, First Lady and owner of Stimulus Investments and many other companies
  • Benjamin Hauwanga, owner of the BH Group of companies
  • Frans Indongo, owner of Indongo Toyota, continental properties.
  • Gert Joubert, owner of Erindi Game Reserve
  • Robert Kahimise, CEO of the City of Windhoek
  • Gwen Lister, journalist, founder of The Namibian
  • Aaron Mushimba, mining magnate
  • Martha Namundjebo-Tilahun, African Business Leader of the Year, 2013
  • Harold Pupkewitz, owner of Pupkewitz Toyota, Megabuild, and many other companies
  • Iipumbu Shiimi, minister of finance, former governor of the Bank of Namibia
  • Lazarus Shinyemba Ipangelwa (1965–2005), CEO of FNB Namibia
  • Sven Thieme, chairman of Ohlthaver & List
  • Inge Zaamwani-Kamwi, managing director of diamond conglomerate Namdeb

Clergy

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  • Leonard Auala (1908–1983), Christian bishop of Evangelical-Lutheran Ovambo-Kavango Church (ELOC)
  • Shekutaamba Nambala, presiding bishop of the Evangelical-Lutheran Church in Namibia (ELCIN)
  • Joseph Gotthardt (1880–1963), prefect of the Prefecture Apostolic of Cimbebasia, later bishop of the Apostolic Vicariate of Windhoek
  • Paulus Hamutenya (died 1932), pastor in Ovamboland, ordained 1925
  • Bonifatius Haushiku (1932–2002), archbishop of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Windhoek
  • Obadja Iihuhua, pastor in Ovamboland, ordained 1925
  • Sakeus Iihuhua, pastor in Ovamboland, ordained 1925
  • Gideon Iitula, pastor in Ovamboland, ordained 1925
  • Zephania Kameeta (born 1945), former bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in the Republic of Namibia
  • James Kauluma, sixth bishop of the Anglican Diocese of Namibia
  • Nabot Manasse, pastor in Ovamboland, ordained 1925
  • Leevi Gerson Max (1935–1997), pastor in Ovamboland, ordained 1965
  • Ngeno Nakamhela (born 1945), former secretary-general of the Council of Churches in Namibia
  • Juuso Ngaikukwete, pastor in Ovamboland, ordained 1925
  • Matias Shikondomboro, pastor in Okavango, ordained 1942
  • Simson Shituwa, pastor in Ovamboland, ordained 1925

Military leaders

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Colonial period

  • Kaipkire (18th century), female Herero warrior
  • Jacob Morenga (1875–1907), guerrilla fighter, national hero

People's Liberation Army of Namibia personnel

  • Tobias Hainyeko (1932–1967), commander of the South West Africa Liberation Army (SWALA), predecessor of PLAN, 1962–1967
  • Lieutenant General Dimo Hamaambo (1932–2002), commander of the People's Liberation Army of Namibia (PLAN) 1967–1990 and chief of the Namibian Defence Force (NDF) 1990–2000

Namibian Defence Force personnel

  • Major General Matheus Alueendo (born 1961), Namibian Army commander since 2019
  • Rear Admiral Alweendo Amungulu, (born 1963), Namibian Navy commander since 2020
  • Lieutenant General Solomon Huwala, chief of the NDF 2000–2006
  • Lieutenant General John Mutwa (1960–2021), chief of the NDF 2013–2020
  • Major General Peter Nambundunga (1947–2019), Namibian Army commander 2005–2011
  • Major General Charles Namoloh (born 1950), NDF Chief of Staff
  • Lieutenant General Epaphras Denga Ndaitwah (born 1952), chief of the NDF 2011–2013
  • Air Marshal Martin Pinehas (born 1962), chief of the NDF since 2020
  • Air Vice Marshall Teofilus Shaende, Namibian Air Force commander since 2020
  • Lieutenant General Martin Shalli (born 1954), chief of the NDF 2006–2011

Politicians

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Presidents and leaders of government

  • Sam Nujoma (SWAPO), first president of Namibia
  • Hifikepunye Pohamba (SWAPO), second president
  • Hage Geingob (SWAPO), first prime minister of Namibia and third president
  • Nangolo Mbumba (SWAPO), second vice-president and fourth president
  • Nickey Iyambo (SWAPO), first vice-president of Namibia
  • Theo-Ben Gurirab, second prime minister of Namibia
  • Nahas Angula (SWAPO), third prime minister
  • Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila (SWAPO), fourth prime minister
  • Hendrik Witbooi (politician) (SWAPO), first deputy-prime minister of Namibia
  • Libertina Amathila (SWAPO), second deputy-prime minister
  • Marco Hausiku (SWAPO), third deputy-prime minister
  • Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah (SWAPO), fourth deputy-prime minister

Diplomats

  • Eddie Amkongo (SWAPO), former ambassador to Ethiopia
  • Martin Andjaba (SWAPO), ambassador to Germany
  • Bience Gawanas (SWAPO), African Union Labour Affairs Commissioner
  • Neville Gertze (born 1966, SWAPO), ambassador to the United Nations
  • Julia Imene-Chanduru (born 1979), ambassador to the United Nations
  • Kaire Mbuende (SWAPO), former ambassador to the European Union, Belgium and Luxembourg
  • Margaret Mensah-Williams (SWAPO), ambassador to the United States
  • Monica Nashandi (SWAPO), former ambassador to the United States
  • Hanno Rumpf (1958–2019, SWAPO), former ambassador to the Benelux countries, Switzerland and the European Union
  • Nora Schimming-Chase (SWANU, CoD), former ambassador to Germany and Austria

SWAPO politicians

  • Ben Amathila, cabinet member
  • Clara Bohitile, deputy minister, central committee member
  • Dawid Boois, former governor of ǁKaras
  • Bernard Esau, trade unionist, independence activist
  • Ida Jimmy, national hero, independence activist, central committee member
  • Ella Kamanya, Pan-African parliamentarian and National Assembly member
  • Asser Kuveri Kapere, chairman of the National Council of Namibia
  • Marten Kapewasha, diplomat
  • Samuel Mbambo, central committee member
  • Steve Mogotsi, National Council member
  • Alpheus ǃNaruseb, cabinet member
  • Immanuel Ngatjizeko, cabinet member
  • Erkki Nghimtina, cabinet member
  • Ngarikutuke Tjiriange, lawyer and cabinet member
  • Andimba Toivo ya Toivo, former minister, independence leader
  • Piet van der Walt, deputy minister
  • Peya Mushelenga, member of parliament

Opposition politicians

  • Kenneth Abrahams (NNF), medical doctor
  • Ottilie Abrahams (NNF), activist, teacher and educator
  • Apius Auchab (UDF president)
  • Steve Bezuidenhout (RDP)
  • Moses Katjiuongua (NPF)
  • Katuutire Kaura, (PDM)
  • Fanuel Kozonguizi, (SWANU), first national ombudsman
  • Dirk Mudge (RP), pre-independence leader of government
  • Jeremia Nambinga, (RDP)
  • Ben Ulenga (CoD)

Traditional leaders

  • Justus ǁGaroëb (born 1942), Damara chief and politician
  • Hosea Kutako (1870–1970), liberation fighter and Herero chief, national hero
  • Samuel Maharero (1856–1923), Herero chief, national hero
  • Daniel Sitentu Mpasi (1934–2014), king of the Kwangali
  • Nehale Mpingana (died 1908), king of Ondonga, national hero
  • Mandume ya Ndemufayo (1894–1917), king of the Kwanyama, national hero
  • Martha Nelumbu (born 1930), queen of the Kwanyama
  • Kahimemua Nguvauva (1850–1896), chief of the Ovambanderu, national hero
  • Iipumbu Ya Tshilongo (1875–1959), king of the Uukwambi, national hero
  • Hendrik Witbooi ( 1830–1905), chief of the ǀKhowesin, national hero

Activists

  • Job Amupanda, youth activist who started the Affirmative Repositioning movement
  • Niko Bessinger, independence activist and politician
  • Pauline Dempers, human rights activist, coordinator of the Breaking the Wall of Silence movement
  • Kalla Gertze, former president of the Breaking the Wall of Silence movement and CoD politician
  • Alfredo Tjiurimo Hengari, political columnist
  • Evilastus Kaaronda, trade unionist
  • George Kambala, youth activist
  • Veronica de Klerk, women's rights activist
  • John Kwedhi, trade unionist
  • Blythe Loutit, founder of Save the Rhino Trust
  • Anna Mungunda (1932–1959), anti-apartheid activists, national hero
  • Rosa Namises, politician and women's rights activist, former member of parliament
  • Phil ya Nangoloh, human rights activist
  • Dimbulukeni Nauyoma, youth activist
  • John Pandeni, former trade unionist and member of cabinet
  • Immanuel Shifidi, guerrilla fighter
  • Emma Tuahepa, HIV/AIDS activist

Scientists

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  • Roman Grynberg, professor of economics, University of Namibia (UNAM)
  • Nico Horn, theologian and professor of human rights and constitutional law, UNAM
  • André du Pisani (born (1949), professor of political science at UNAM
  • Gabi Schneider (born (1956), geologist
  • Tjama Tjivikua (born 1958), founding rector of the Polytechnic of Namibia

Sportspeople

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  • Gaby Ahrens (born 1981), Olympic trap shooter
  • Collin Benjamin (born 1978), footballer
  • Johanna Benson (born 1990), Paralympic athlete and medalist
  • Jacques Burger (born 1981), rugby union player
  • Dan Craven (born 1983), cyclist
  • Merlin Diamond (born 1991), sprinter, national champion
  • Trevor Dodds (born 1959), golfer
  • Frankie Fredericks (born 1967), Olympic athlete and medalist
  • Prince ǃGaoseb (born 1998), rugby union player for the Tel Aviv Heat
  • Mannie Heymans (born 1971), cyclist
  • Max Katjijeko (born 1995), rugby union player for the Tel Aviv Heat
  • Kees Lensing (born 1978), rugby union prop
  • Ricardo Mannetti (born 1975), footballer and national football coach
  • Beatrice Masilingi (born 2003), Olympic athlete, U20 world champion
  • Athiel Mbaha (born 1971), deaf footballer
  • Christine Mboma (born 2003), Olympic athlete
  • Ali Nuumbembe (born 1978), welterweight boxer
  • Ryan Nyambe (born 1997), footballer
  • Harry Simon (born 1978), boxer
  • Razundara Tjikuzu (born 1979), footballer
  • Gerhard Erasmus (born 1995), cricketer

Other

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  • Christina Van-Dunem Da Fonsech, police officer
  • Michelle McLean, former Miss Universe, charity activist
  • Behati Prinsloo, model
  • Robbie Savage, football fan and socialite
  • Hulda Shipanga, matron

References