Nujoma leaves Namibians with gift of freedom

President Nangolo Mbumba has urged the grief-stricken Namibian nation to take solace in the fact that late founding president Sam Nujoma left behind the most precious gift of freedom and independence.On Saturday, Mbuma led tributes to the late founding president at the Heroes Acre on the outskirts of Windhoek. Nujoma, who passed away on 8 February 2025 at the age of 95, was laid to rest following a colourful burial ceremony. His casket, draped in the Namibian flag, was transported by a military gun carriage from the centre of Windhoek, where his body had been lying in state, to Heroes Acre - a site constructed during Nujoma’s presidency.The burial was preceded by a memorial service on Friday in Windhoek, attended by numerous local and international dignitaries. Among those present were Cyril Ramaphosa, president of South Africa, his Zimbabwean counterpart Emmerson Mnangagwa, and Angola’s João Lourenço. Former president of Finland, Tarja Kaarina Halonen, and Yuri Pimental, Venezuela's deputy minister for Africa, also attended the ceremony. Representing Cuba was Juan Esteban Lazo Hernández, president of the National Assembly, who described Nujoma’s death as a loss not only for Namibia but also for the Caribbean island nation, which played a significant role in Namibia’s liberation struggle.Samuel Matekane, the prime minister of Lesotho, was among the mourners, emphasising Nujoma’s influence across the African continent. Ghana was represented by its vice-president, Professor Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang, while Kenya delegated its deputy president, Kithure Kindiki. Luis Franceschi, assistant secretary-general of the Commonwealth, and Laid Rebiga, Algeria’s minister of veterans affairs, were also in attendance. Tanzania, a significant ally during the liberation struggle, was represented by its vice-president Philip Mpango, with Malawi sending Michael Bizwick Usi, its vice-president. China was represented by its Namibian ambassador, Zhao Weiping, while former president of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Joseph Kabila, and former Zimbabwean First Lady, Grace Mugabe, were also present. From Botswana, the country's former president Ian Khama was also spotted in the crowd. A hero’s farewellPresident Mbumba, visibly moved, referred to Nujoma as the “diamond of Etunda village” and lauded his leadership during the liberation struggle. He reminisced about the times when Nujoma confidently led Swapo central committee meetings in the remote areas of Angola, expressing his vision of holding such gatherings in Windhoek one day. Mbumba praised Nujoma for turning that vision into reality, leading Namibia to independence and ending apartheid colonialism.“Not only did you lead us to the outskirts of Windhoek but to the heart of the city itself. We fought and won the liberation struggle, and forever removed apartheid colonialism from the face of Namibia. Indeed, we are now the masters of our destiny,” Mbumba declared. Mbumba concluded his tribute by urging Namibians to draw strength from Nujoma’s legacy of dedication and hard work. “Namibia is proud to call you a son of the soil. May your legacy become a source of strength for the Nujoma family and the entire Namibian nation as we continue to uphold your command of maintaining unity of purpose,” he said.His words echoed the profound impact Nujoma had on shaping the nation’s path to independence and sovereignty.A legacy of reconciliation and unityNujoma led Swapo for 47 years, from 1960 to 2007, and served as Namibia’s first president from 1990 until 2005. His leadership was characterised by policies of reconciliation that encouraged the country’s white community to remain and actively participate in key sectors such as farming and the economy. His efforts to foster national unity were widely recognised, helping to build a multi-racial and multi-ethnic society.Graham Hopwood, executive director of the Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR), reflected on Nujoma’s legacy in a blog published last week. He emphasised how Nujoma, from as early as 1960, had managed to put the cause of Namibian independence on the international agenda. By the mid-1970s, the United Nations had recognised Swapo as the “sole and authentic” representative of the Namibian people.Hopwood also highlighted Nujoma’s commitment to unity, noting his efforts to create a multi-racial, multi-ethnic Cabinet in 1990 that helped placate fears and build confidence among Namibians. His policy of “one Namibia, one nation” was instrumental in fostering a sense of national identity and collective purpose, Hopwood wrote.Restraint and humility in leadershipDespite his influential role, Nujoma was credited with showing restraint during political transitions. “His decision not to endorse any candidate before the 2012 Swapo special congress was seen as a move that allowed a genuine democratic contest,” said Hopwood. The political analyst also praised Nujoma for his humility and modesty in his personal life, contrasting it with the corruption and opulence often associated with African leaders of his era.“For the most part, he rejected luxurious living - opting for an abstemious lifestyle based on a healthy diet and exercise. In an era when many of his generation of African leaders were highly corrupt, his approach was exemplary,” Hopwood noted. Even after his retirement, Nujoma chose to live either at his private farm near Otavi or at a Swapo-owned property outside Windhoek. It was only ten years later that the State built him an official home,” he said.

Nujoma leaves Namibians with gift of freedom

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Namibian Sun 2025-04-03

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Nujoma leaves Namibians with gift of freedom

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Namibian Sun 2025-04-03

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