# List of Namibians

This is a list of Namibians who are famous.

## Artists
### 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

* 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
* Sven Thieme, chairman of Ohlthaver & List
* Inge Zaamwani-Kamwi, managing director of diamond conglomerate Namdeb

## Clergy

* 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
### 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
### 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
* 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 (c. 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

* 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

* 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

* 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