EDITORIAL: Sam Nujoma's unsung side
Much has been said about the heroics of late founding president Sam Nujoma – the fearless revolutionary, the steadfast liberator, the father of an independent Namibia. But what is often overlooked is the dignity with which he lived his private life.
Nujoma was not just a man of war; he was also a man of discipline. He preached it relentlessly to his followers during the liberation struggle, insisting that victory was impossible without order and restraint. To Nujoma, discipline was not just a battle cry, it was a way of life.
He denounced alcoholism and social recklessness, not as a mere political posture, but as a personal creed. He lived by the values he espoused, resisting the indulgences that have often ensnared men in power. In an era where political elites are known for their moral contradictions, Nujoma remained an outlier – steadfast, principled, unwavering.
His devotion to family was another defining pillar. Despite being separated from his wife and children for nearly two decades while in exile, the bonds remained unbroken. Unlike many of his contemporaries, Nujoma never fathered a child out of wedlock – eschewing the temptations that others so easily succumbed to.
Even after his presidency, he did not give in to the trappings of unchecked wealth. In a continent where retired heads of state retreat into sprawling mansions and amass fortunes, Nujoma’s lifestyle remained modest. Between 2015 and 2017, he had to be hosted by a Windhoek family while his own home underwent state-sponsored renovations. His humility stood in stark contrast to the extravagance of many of his peers, who had multiple luxury residences at their disposal.
Nujoma’s legacy is not only that of a liberator but also of a man who lived with honour.
Nujoma was not just a man of war; he was also a man of discipline. He preached it relentlessly to his followers during the liberation struggle, insisting that victory was impossible without order and restraint. To Nujoma, discipline was not just a battle cry, it was a way of life.
He denounced alcoholism and social recklessness, not as a mere political posture, but as a personal creed. He lived by the values he espoused, resisting the indulgences that have often ensnared men in power. In an era where political elites are known for their moral contradictions, Nujoma remained an outlier – steadfast, principled, unwavering.
His devotion to family was another defining pillar. Despite being separated from his wife and children for nearly two decades while in exile, the bonds remained unbroken. Unlike many of his contemporaries, Nujoma never fathered a child out of wedlock – eschewing the temptations that others so easily succumbed to.
Even after his presidency, he did not give in to the trappings of unchecked wealth. In a continent where retired heads of state retreat into sprawling mansions and amass fortunes, Nujoma’s lifestyle remained modest. Between 2015 and 2017, he had to be hosted by a Windhoek family while his own home underwent state-sponsored renovations. His humility stood in stark contrast to the extravagance of many of his peers, who had multiple luxury residences at their disposal.
Nujoma’s legacy is not only that of a liberator but also of a man who lived with honour.
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Namibian Sun
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