Greenwell Matongo

{{Short description|Namabian freedom fighter}}

Greenwell Simasiku Matongo (1945–1979) was a Namibian freedom fighter and political commissar in the People's Liberation Army of Namibia (PLAN), the military wing of SWAPO.Shiremo, S. (2011, September 9). Greenwell Matongo: A celebrated freedom fighter of Namibia (1945–1975). New Era, pp.7[https://archive.today/20130616095452/http://www.newera.com.na/article.php?articleid=12590 In memory of our Hero] New Era, 20 August 2010 Matongo joined SWAPO in exile during Namibia's struggle for independence from South African rule in the mid 1960s. He spent time in Tanzania and trained new PLAN recruits at a SWAPO military camp in Kongwa. Matongo rose through the ranks of PLAN and became a highly respected commander. He was killed in combat on 15 June 1979 during a battle between UNITA and South African forces in Ondjiva, Angola.{{Cite news | title=Greenwell Matongo’s remains must come home | url=https://www.namibiansun.com/news/greenwell-matongos-remains-must-come-home|date=11 August 2015 | newspaper=Namibian Sun | language=en-ZA}}

In honor of his contributions to Namibia's liberation struggle, several landmarks bear his name. The Greenwell Matongo suburb in Windhoek's Goreangab area is named after him. Additionally, Greenwell Matongo Primary School in Katima Mulilo serves as a testament to his legacy, providing education to the local community.{{Cite news |title=Greenwell Matongo: A Celebrated Freedom Fighter of Namibia (1945–1979) |url=https://allafrica.com/stories/201109091197.html |last=Shiremo |first=Shampapi |date=9 September 2011 |newspaper=New Era |publisher=AllAfrica |access-date=13 April 2025}}

Matongo's legacy continues to inspire Namibians, reminding people of the sacrifices made for the country's freedom and the ongoing work to build a better future. To honor his contribution, local leaders from the Zambezi region have called on the government to repatriate Matongo's remains from an unmarked grave in Ondjiva, Angola, and rebury him at Heroes' Acre.[https://www.namibiansun.com/news/greenwell-matongos-remains-must-come-home "Greenwell Matongo’s remains must come home"]. Namibian Sun. 6 October 2020. Retrieved 13 April 2025.