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Mashudu Netsianda, [email protected]

PRESIDENT Mnangagwa yesterday joined other regional leaders in mourning Namibia’s founding leader, Dr Sam Nujoma, who died on Saturday, describing him as a towering figure of liberation whose legacy will continue to inspire generations across the African continent.

In a statement, the President hailed Dr Nujoma’s unwavering dedication to the liberation of Namibia and his commitment to the unity of the Southern African Development Community (SADC).

“We hurt and grieve deeply at the passing on of this gallant freedom fighter and visionary icon who led and delivered Independence and nationhood to the Namibian people,” said President Mnangagwa.

Zimbabwe and Namibia share strong historical ties, dating back to the liberation struggles of both nations.

President Mnangagwa acknowledged Dr Nujoma’s steadfast support for Zimbabwe, particularly during the Land Reform Programme, when he stood by Harare despite international pressure.

“Zimbabwe will always remember and cherish Dr Nujoma’s principled and unconditional support as our nation faced concerted onslaught by vindictive countries of the West,” he said.

President Mnangagwa said Dr Nujoma’s legacy was that of a true Pan-Africanist, who championed the independence and sovereignty of African nations and that Africa must remain vigilant against “new challenges of resource-induced encroachments.”

Dr Nujoma’s demise comes after the death in office of former Namibia President Dr Hage Geingob on February 4 last year, compounding the nation’s grief.

President Mnangagwa expressed solidarity with the Namibian people during this difficult period.

“I have no doubt that these repeated tragic losses do not just test your nation; rather, they spur all Namibians on, as they rally together in even greater and stronger unity to move your nation forward,” he said.

On behalf of Government, the ruling Zanu-PF party and the people of Zimbabwe, President Mnangagwa extended his “deepest, heartfelt condolences” to Namibian President Dr Nangolo Mbumba, the SWAPO party, the Namibian Government and the Nujoma family.

The revolutionary leader, who guided Namibia to independence from apartheid South Africa in 1990 and served as its first president for 15 years, died at the age of 95.
South Africa’s President Cyril Ramaphosa said the former Namibian president was an

“extraordinary freedom fighter” who played a leading role in not only his country’s fight against colonialism, but also in the campaign that led to the end of white-minority rule in South Africa in 1994.

“President Nujoma’s leadership of a free Namibia laid the foundation for the solidarity and partnership our two countries share today — a partnership we will continue to deepen as neighbours and friends,” he said.

The late former Namibian president Sam Nujoma.

Kenya’s President William Ruto said Nujoma was a “visionary leader who dedicated his life to the liberation and development of his country”.

“We stand in solidarity with the people of Namibia in mourning the passing of their founding President Dr Sam Nujoma. President Nujoma was a selfless, courageous and visionary leader who dedicated his life to the liberation and development of his country,” he said.

“Our thoughts and love are with the family and the people of Namibia at this time of grief. Rest in peace, Africa’s hero!”

Zambian President Hakainde Hichilema posted on his X page: “Deeply saddened by the passing of Dr Sam Nujoma — freedom fighter, nationalist, Pan-Africanist, and founding President of Namibia. His legacy will live on forever.”

Dr Nujoma was the founding leader of the South West Africa People’s Organisation (SWAPO), which spearheaded Namibia’s fight for freedom. His leadership and vision played a pivotal role in shaping modern Namibia and advancing the cause of Pan-Africanism.

Dr Nujoma was born on 12 May 1929, in a village in northwestern Namibia when his country was under South African administration. South Africa had controlled Namibia since World War One after a brutal few decades of German colonial rule, remembered for the genocide of the Herero and Nama people.

As a boy, he looked after his family’s cattle and attended a Finnish mission school, before moving to the coastal town of Walvis Bay and then the capital, Windhoek, where he worked for South African Railways, according to a biography posted on the website of Dr Nujoma’s charitable foundation.

Dr Nujoma left his job at the railways to focus his energies on bringing down the apartheid system. In the late 1950s, he became leader of the Owambo People’s Organisation, a precursor to the liberation movement SWAPO, organising resistance to the forced relocation of Black people in Windhoek, which culminated in the police killing 12 unarmed people and wounding dozens more.

Dr Nujoma was charged with organising the resistance and arrested. In 1960, he went into exile. He travelled across Africa before reaching the United States, where he petitioned the United Nations for Namibia’s independence.

Made SWAPO leader in absentia, Dr Nujoma established its armed wing and in 1966 launched a guerrilla war against the apartheid government.

It took more than a decade of pressure from Dr Nujoma and others before a UN Security Council resolution in 1978 proposed a ceasefire and elections, and another decade for the ceasefire deal to be signed and elections to be held in late 1989.

Dr Nujoma was the last of a generation of African leaders who brought their countries out of colonial or white minority rule, including the late former President Robert Mugabe, South Africa’s Nelson Mandela, Zambia’s Kenneth Kaunda, Tanzania’s Julius Nyerere, and Mozambique’s Samora Machel.

Dr Nujoma spent nearly 30 years in exile as the leader of Namibia’s independence movement before returning for Parliamentary elections in late 1989, the first democratic vote in the country.

He was elected president by lawmakers months later in 1990 as Namibia’s independence was confirmed.