[1] Pohamba was born in Okatale in Ohangwena Region, in the constituency of Oshikango close to the borders of Angola.

Pohamba attended her primary and secondary school at Odibo with Jeremiah Nambinga and Joel Kaapanda.

Her husband (Malakias) was killed in a land mine explosion and by that time she had their daughter, Ndelitungapo Shiluwa (born 1973).

In August 1981, Pohamba was sent to East Germany to study politics at a college designed for Namibians.

In July 2006, Penehupifo Pohamba was elected vice-president for the Southern Africa Development Committee (SADC).