Go well our father of the nation, H.E. Dr Sam Shafiishuna Nujoma

On 8 February 2025 in Windhoek, His Excellency Dr Sam Shafiishuna Nujoma closed the chapter on his earthly journey of 95 years. A humble young man who grew up in the footsteps and under the guidance of his family and community. He attended to traditional chores like looking after livestock and pounding mahangu at Etunda, Ongandjera. It has been said that he was a child like any other but soon began to showcase his uniqueness and extraordinary leadership from an early age. It is this prodigious character which, 95 years later, has touched all four corners of Namibia, Africa and the world.Therefore, the greatest pain must be that felt by his family at Etunda and throughout the country. I bow in humility to extend my deepest condolences to them and keep the Nujoma family in my prayers during this time of sorrow.Comrade Sam Nujoma, when he left Etunda for Walvis Bay and Windhoek, was perceptibly an ordinary young man in search of a better life for his family. He was, however, no ordinary jobseeker. His thoughts were planted with thoughts of the future of Namibia. His actions were geared towards the wellbeing of all Namibians. His eyes were fixated on crossing all impossibilities, all impediments, and all shackles of oppression, ultimately to break the back of South African colonialism.Undoubtedly Comrade Sam Nujoma’s simple and honest life has inspired – and continues to inspire – many Namibians to dedicate themselves to the wellbeing of the country and its people. As a torchbearer of the liberation struggle, Sam Nujoma’s virtues of humility, hard work, foresight, empathy and bravery made him magnetic to all those around him. That is why in life and in death, Namibia’s Founding President H.E. Dr. Sam Nujoma stands proudly in the annals of Namibia’s historic landscape as a symbol of national unity, sovereignty and national independence.As we mourn his passing, the fitting tribute to his exemplary leadership of Namibia is for all of us to unite in preserving the gains of the liberation struggle.Let us individually and collectively ensure that present and future generations will complete the second struggle of economic independence. And we must pause daily to remember the rivers of blood crossed for our independence. We must never forget those whose blood waters our freedom from the Orange River to the Zambezi River and from the Atlantic Ocean to the plains of the Kalahari Desert. In our hearts we must always replay the message 'Namibia is forever free, sovereign and independent'.Humble friendshipOn a personal note, like most people in Kavango, I first saw our late founding president in person at a Swapo rally in Rundu in 1989. He became the first Black president of Namibia on 21 March 1990, and four years later (in 1994), the late Cde Nelson Mandela became the first Black president of South Africa. The back of apartheid colonialism was therefore broken by the Swapo Party in Namibia and the African National Congress in South Africa to gain the political independence of our respective countries.I feel humbled, therefore, that our late founding president took the time to provide guidance to me in many ways. He guided me about politics and also about life. He was calm but often direct in expressing what he deemed I needed to know and do. In the political space, he had provided me the opportunity for growth while navigating the intricacies of it. He advised that amidst whatever challenges, one must “never compromise your principles”. This lesson served as a cushion that taught me to remain calm amidst the storms and contradictions of life.I recall that if there was a pressing issue, he would call – even at 05:00 – and usually such a call meant it was about something serious.You will be summoned to meet him first thing at his office. In calmer times, he would call for lighter things like dinner and watching television with him, especially when I was working in the north (at Unam).We would sit at Etunda village for hours and he would narrate the news coverage but also reflect on the colourful years of his childhood and what they used to do as boys. He would share his ideas of development which must be done, including the desalination plant in northern Namibia to offset climate change impacts, which could risk the security of the water supply to northern Namibia.I was particularly impressed by the humility and humanity of the late founding president.In 2012 he led our delegation for the second Africa-China Young Leaders Forum, which was held in Beijing, China. As we were transiting through Dubai, United Arab Emirates, the airport authority subjected him to a search, much to our consternation. However, Tatekulu said: “It is okay; let them be. It is their law.” He humbled himself and allowed the search.Book of lifeAs part of the 12 May movement birthday celebration for Oshana, we tasked the regional leadership of SPYL to come up with the unique theme for their celebration. They came back with the idea of playing the rite of passage as per Uukwambi custom. I briefed him and sought his concurrence, to which he excitedly agreed. Onawa ya Kiliana village in Okatana was selected deliberately because it was the first place where he addressed a Swapo Party rally after his return from exile in 1989.The day began with a march from Oshakati’s Okandjengedi to Okatana. The gathering marked one of the largest of Namibians from all corners of the country, including traditional authorities, who came to witness Nujoma undergo the rite of passage of the Uukwambi Traditional Authority's customs. It was also witnessed by senior leaders of the Swapo Party and its government, including former President Pohamba, late President Geingob, and now President Mbumba.That was Nujoma. He touched every facet of Namibian life. He had a positive impact on the growth of many Namibians and many Africans. He was an extraordinary human being. He closed his eyes forever on 8 February 2025, but his book of 95 years is left for all to read and learn, especially by present and future generations.What remains, therefore, is that Namibia should move forward and ensure natural resources beneficiation to benefit all our people.The measure of the legacy of the founding president must be felt in the improvement of the standard of living at household level for all.Let us vow to ensure no one goes hungry and that no child is taught under trees, that no one feels neglected.The baton is now in the hands of President-elect H.E. Dr Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, the first female president whom the founding president also voted for in the November 2024 presidential and national elections. May the implementation of the Swapo Party election manifesto 2024 align with the aspirations of the late founding president H.E. Dr Sam Shafiishuna Nujoma.May his soul rest in eternal peace and his legacy live on.*Dr Elijah Ngurare is a former secretary of the Swapo Party Youth League (SPYL).

Go well our father of the nation, H.E. Dr Sam Shafiishuna Nujoma

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Namibian Sun 2025-04-02

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Go well our father of the nation, H.E. Dr Sam Shafiishuna Nujoma

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Namibian Sun 2025-04-02

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