Martha Nelumbu

Martha Mwadinomho yaKristian Nelumbu (born 7 August 1930) is the Ohamba (Queen) of the Oukwanyama,^[1] a dynasty of the Ovambo people in northern Namibia. Queen Mwadinomho was born into the Oukwanyama royal family at Oifidi village in Angola on 7 August 1931. She is of the totem of the cattle.^[2] She was crowned in November 2005, succeeding her cousin Kornelius Mwetupunga Shelungu. She is the first woman leader to head this traditional authority.

Queen Mwadinomho lives at the royal residence in Omhedi. Over the years she has given shelter to vulnerable children; As of 2023^[update] there were over 60 of them in her homestead.^[3]

Honors

Mwadinomho Combined School in Ondeihaluka is named after her.

The Namibia University of Science and Technology (Nust) on 3rd May 2024 conferred an honorary doctorate degree on Oukwanyama Queen Martha Mwadinomho. This was done during the first ever graduation at NUST Eenhana Satellite Campus.^[4] She was conferred a Honorary Doctor of Philosophy (Honoris Causa) in Leadership and Change Management which was awarded due to her accomplishments which focus on several SDGs. These include good health and well-being (SDG 3), quality education (SDG 4), gender equality (SDG 5), decent work and economic growth (SDG 8), industry, innovation and infrastructure (SDG 9), reduced inequalities (SDG 10), and peace, justice and strong institutions (SDG 16).^[2]

See also

• Traditional leadership of Namibia
• List of current constituent monarchs

References

1. Ndeyanale, Eliaser; Vatileni, Eino (18 November 2021). "'Secret' dealings divide Oukwanyama kingdom". The Namibian. p. 6.
2. Iyambo, Selma (2024-05-07). "Oukwanyama queen recognised for contribution to community". The Namibian. Retrieved 2024-05-08.
3. Haihambo, Taimi (8 December 2023). "Queen Mwadinomho: Mother to the motherless". New Era.
4. Shinana, Anna (2024-05-03). "Honorary doctorate conferred on Oukwanyama queen". The Namibian. Retrieved 2024-05-08.