Maria Mwengere

Maria Mwengere (1898–1987) was a ruler in what is now Namibia.

She reigned as queen or hompa of the Shambyu or Sambyu kingdom from 1940 until her death in 1987.

When the previous king, Mbambangandu II, withdrew from power because of his blindness, four of his nieces were candidates for the chieftancy. Mwengere was reportedly appointed "because of her outstanding leadership qualities". Becker noted that: "Unlike in Owambo, where the traditional authorities lost much respect because of their collaboration with the colonial regime, the locals' positive assessment of Mwengere's rule appears to be untainted by her co-operation with the South African administration."

Mwengere is commemorated in the names of the Maria Mwengere Culture and Environment Centre, location of the Kavango Museum; Maria Mwengere Street in Rundu, home to a campus of the University of Namibia; and the Maria Mwengere Secondary School.