Sam Nujoma - Namibia’s revolutionary hero dies at 95

By Andreas Thomas
WINDHOEK, 09 FEB (NAMPA) – The long and heroic journey of the Namibian liberation and armed struggle hero, Sam Nujoma, came to an end when he passed away on Saturday at the age of 95.
The nonagenarian Statesman was revered in Namibia and abroad as among revolutionaries who successfully led the struggle against colonialism on the African continent.
He was the last leader from a generation in southern Africa that guided their countries to independence, amongst them Kenneth Kaunda of Zambia, Samora Machel of Mozambique, Robert Mugabe of Zimbabwe, and Nelson Mandela.
From the late 1950s, the South African apartheid regime intensified its crackdown on pro-independence activists who were advocating for the self-rule of what was then, South West Africa.
Due to his association with the Owamboland People’s Organisation, the precursor of Swapo, Nujoma faced severe persecution from the colonial authorities.
After his leading role in the old location mass protest on 10 December 1959 in Windhoek, Nujoma was forced to go into exile in 1960.
In June 1960, Nujoma and other like-minded Namibians petitioned the United Nations, pleading the Namibian case against South Africa’s colonial bondage.
After the South African colonial regime refused to budge, Nujoma went on to lead the former liberation movement, the South West Africa People’s Organisation (Swapo), into a bitter struggle for independence.
From independence in 1990, he ruled Namibia for 15 years.
Despite the immense suffering of Namibian people caused by apartheid, Nujoma adopted a conciliatory tone after the first democratic elections in 1990. He assured the opposing parties that his government, under the former liberation movement Swapo, would uphold its policy of national reconciliation.
After his retirement in 2005, the National Assembly passed a proclamation declaring Nujoma as ‘Father of the Namibian Nation’ for his selfless sacrifice.
Namibia’s President-elect and Vice President, Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, has extended condolences following Nujoma’s death, describing him as a visionary leader.
“His visionary leadership and dedication to liberation and nation-building laid the foundation for our free, united nation. Let us honour his legacy by upholding resilience, solidarity, and selfless service. Our thoughts are with his family and the grieving nation. May his soul rest in eternal peace,” Nandi-Ndaitwah said.
In a statement also on Sunday, the National Assembly noted that Nujoma’s loss is profoundly felt by the Namibian people, the legislative body, and the world at large.
“Nujoma’s contributions to the legislative processes of the Namibian State were foundational in creating a society based on freedom, unity, and prosperity. His vision for a sovereign Namibia, free from the oppression of colonial and apartheid rule, remains a guiding light for the people and the institutions he helped build,” it said.
Nujoma was born Samuel Shafiishuna Nujoma on 12 May 1929 in Etunda village, near Okahao in what is now the Omusati Region.
He was married to former First Lady Kovambo Nujoma, 91, with whom he had four children, including Utoni Nujoma, the Minister of Labour, Industrial Relations and Employment Creation. Two of their children are deceased.
Nujoma’s death was announced by President Nangolo Mbumba on Sunday.
“The foundations of the Republic of Namibia have been shaken,” Mbumba said.
“Our Founding Father lived a long and consequential life during which he exceptionally served the people of his beloved country,” he stated.
President Mbumba said that after consultations with the Nujoma family, the government will announce a period of national mourning and the burial arrangements.
(NAMPA)
AT/PS/AS