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 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
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 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
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
References