Thousands gather at Etunda for Nujoma

NAMPA
2025-02-21
ETUNDA, 20 February 2025- Mourners on the side of the road as they look on at the late Founding President Sam Nujoma's remains at Ondangwa. (Photo by: Maria David) NAMPA ETUNDA, 20 February 2025- Mourners on the side of the road as they look on at the late Founding President Sam Nujoma's remains at Ondangwa. (Photo by: Maria David) NAMPA
ETUNDA, 21 FEB (NAMPA) - Thousands of mourners - young and old - gathered for the memorial service of Founding President Sam Nujoma at his Etunda village residence in the Omusati region's Okahao constituency on Thursday.
Under the theme ‘Celebrating a revolutionary, honouring an African icon’, mourners gathered from as early as 16h00 till late to honour the legendary Nujoma, who sadly passed away in a Windhoek hospital on 8 February 2025 at the age of 95.
Former prime minister, Nahas Angula delivered Nujoma's eulogy, stating that people came to know Namibia because of Nujoma who led the Swapo Party for 47 years.
After his swearing in as Namibia’s first president in 1990, Nujoma stepped down in 2005.
Angula further described Nujoma as a selfless leader.
Nujoma's sister, Julia Nujoma, thanked those who assisted her brother during his struggle with ill health.
"We thank all the Namibians who assisted in keeping Nujoma alive such as health professionals and pastors who prayed for him. Nujoma was sent to earth by God to deliver his sheep out of danger," she said, while encouraging Namibians to forgive each other.
Swapo secretary general, Sophia Shaningwa said Nujoma was heaven-sent because he commanded the PLAN combatants who fought and defeated the oppressive South African apartheid regime.
"Nujoma improved the living conditions of Namibians and put up policies to heal apartheid after independence," she said.
"We are mourning the commander who have done a lot for this country, and we are no longer shedding tears because we are grateful for what you have done," Shaningwa said.
Nujoma’s remains lay in state at his residence until Friday morning. It was then moved to Eenhana in the Ohangwena Region for the second regional memorial service.
(NAMPA)
TG/ND

Latest NAMPA photos

/KHOICHAS, 14 August 2026 - Namibia’s independence was a collective victory. The southern regions of Hardap and ||Karas were central to the struggle, anchored by local churches that risked everything to shelter PLAN fighters and educate the future leaders of our nation. (Photo by: Uakutura Kambaekua) NAMPA.

/KHOICHAS, 14 August 2026 - Namibia’s independence was a collective victory. The southern regions of Hardap and ||Karas were central to the struggle, anchored by local churches that risked everything to shelter PLAN fighters and educate the future leaders of our nation. (Photo by: Uakutura Kambaekua) NAMPA.

NAMPA
HOACHANAS, 12 August 2026 - Historian and liberation struggle icon Markus Kooper, in collaboration with the Hoachanas community, has established a community library to preserve the history of the southern region, including the Red Clan history and past freedom struggle events. (Photo by: Uakutura Kambaekua) NAMPA.

HOACHANAS, 12 August 2026 - Historian and liberation struggle icon Markus Kooper, in collaboration with the Hoachanas community, has established a community library to preserve the history of the southern region, including the Red Clan history and past freedom struggle events. (Photo by: Uakutura Kambaekua) NAMPA.

NAMPA
GIBEON, 13 August 2026 - The African Methodist Episcopal Private Community School (AMEPS) in Gibeon was a significant community-operated institution founded by the AME Church and local leaders, including Hendrik Witbooi, during the fight for freedom. It ceased operations and was integrated into the state school system in 2007. (Photo by: Uakutura Kambaekua) NAMPA.

GIBEON, 13 August 2026 - The African Methodist Episcopal Private Community School (AMEPS) in Gibeon was a significant community-operated institution founded by the AME Church and local leaders, including Hendrik Witbooi, during the fight for freedom. It ceased operations and was integrated into the state school system in 2007. (Photo by: Uakutura Kambaekua) NAMPA.

NAMPA
/KHOICHAS, 14 August 2026 - Jacqueline Juliana Rukamba, a former principal at Khoichas Primary School in the Karas region, significantly contributed to Namibia's independence, particularly in education, during the 1970s and 1980s. (Photo by: Uakutura Kambaekua) NAMPA.

/KHOICHAS, 14 August 2026 - Jacqueline Juliana Rukamba, a former principal at Khoichas Primary School in the Karas region, significantly contributed to Namibia's independence, particularly in education, during the 1970s and 1980s. (Photo by: Uakutura Kambaekua) NAMPA.

NAMPA
GIBEON, 13 August 2026 – The African Methodist Episcopal Private Community School (AMEPS) in Gibeon was a significant community-operated institution founded by the AME Church and local leaders, including Hendrik Witbooi, during the fight for freedom. It ceased operations and was integrated into the state school system in 2007. (Photo by: Uakutura Kambaekua) NAMPA.

GIBEON, 13 August 2026 – The African Methodist Episcopal Private Community School (AMEPS) in Gibeon was a significant community-operated institution founded by the AME Church and local leaders, including Hendrik Witbooi, during the fight for freedom. It ceased operations and was integrated into the state school system in 2007. (Photo by: Uakutura Kambaekua) NAMPA.

NAMPA
GIBEON, 13 August 2026 – The African Methodist Episcopal Private Community School (AMEPS) in Gibeon was a significant community-operated institution founded by the AME Church and local leaders, including Hendrik Witbooi, during the fight for freedom. It ceased operations and was integrated into the state school system in 2007. (Photo by: Uakutura Kambaekua) NAMPA.

GIBEON, 13 August 2026 – The African Methodist Episcopal Private Community School (AMEPS) in Gibeon was a significant community-operated institution founded by the AME Church and local leaders, including Hendrik Witbooi, during the fight for freedom. It ceased operations and was integrated into the state school system in 2007. (Photo by: Uakutura Kambaekua) NAMPA.

NAMPA
GIBEON, 13 August 2026 – Gaob Salomon Josephat Witbooi, former Namibian ambassador to Zambia, reflected on the southern region's contribution to Namibia's struggle for independence during a discussion with Nampa's team. (Photo by: Uakutura Kambaekua) NAMPA.

GIBEON, 13 August 2026 – Gaob Salomon Josephat Witbooi, former Namibian ambassador to Zambia, reflected on the southern region's contribution to Namibia's struggle for independence during a discussion with Nampa's team. (Photo by: Uakutura Kambaekua) NAMPA.

NAMPA
WINDHOEK, 15 August 2026 - South Africa’s Kelsey Jade van Schoor (in green) during the 2026 Pupkewitz Megabuild Tour de Windhoek. She was crowned the overall champion of the 2026 women’s category. (Photo by: Hesron Kapanga) NAMPA

WINDHOEK, 15 August 2026 - South Africa’s Kelsey Jade van Schoor (in green) during the 2026 Pupkewitz Megabuild Tour de Windhoek. She was crowned the overall champion of the 2026 women’s category. (Photo by: Hesron Kapanga) NAMPA

NAMPA