World leaders have en masse praised late Founding President Sam Nujoma for his tenacity, dubbing him a visionary leader whose heroism towards independence will never be forgotten.
Leading the tributes was Tanzania’s Samia Suluhu Hassan, who said she is deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Nujoma.
“A freedom fighter, a Pan-Africanist and a dear friend of Tanzania, where he once lived during the struggle for Namibia’s independence, Nujoma lived a life of service that shaped not only his country’s destiny, but also inspired generations to stand up for the ideals of freedom, equality and justice,” she stated.
“On behalf of the government and the people of Tanzania, I wish to convey our deepest condolences to His Excellency Nangolo Mbumba, President of Namibia, the people of Namibia, the Founding First Lady of Namibia, Kovambo Nujoma, Nujoma’s children, his entire family, friends and comrades in Swapo”, Hassan added.
Just about 1 000 km from Tanzania was Kenyan president William Ruto, who said they stand in solidarity with the people of Namibia in mourning the passing away of Nujoma.
“President Nujoma was a selfless, courageous and visionary leader who dedicated his life to the liberation and development of his country. Our thoughts and love are with the family and the people of Namibia at this time of grief. Rest in peace, Africa’s hero,” he said.
South African president Cyril Ramaphosa offered his deep condolences to the government and people of the Republic of Namibia, sympathies to founding first lady, Kovambo, and the broader Nujoma and Kondombolo families.
He stated that his thoughts are with Mbumba and the government as they are experiencing this loss, 12 months following the death of former president Hage Geingob.
“As neighbours and compatriots, South Africa is united in grief with Namibians who have lost the leader of the Namibian revolution, who is inseparable from our history of struggle and liberation. Sam Nujoma was an extraordinary freedom fighter, who divided his revolutionary programme between Namibia’s struggle against South African colonialism and the liberation of South Africa from apartheid,” noted Ramaphosa.
He added, “In exile and on home soil, he led the Ovambo People’s Organisation, then the South West Africa People’s Organisation, and the People’s Liberation Army of Namibia against the seemingly unshakeable might of colonial and apartheid authorities and forces. Sam Nujoma inspired the Namibian people to pride and resistance that belied the size of the population.
Namibia’s attainment of independence from South Africa in 1990 ignited in us the inevitability of our liberation. 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”.
Ramaphosa said as a nation, they are grateful for the extended lifetime with which Nujoma was blessed, and the way he dedicated the many decades of his life to serving his nation.
Zambia’s president Hakainde Hichilema said, “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.”
Zimbabwe’s president Emmerson Mnangagwa said the passing of Nujoma sadly and solemnly marks the demise of the last in an iconic generation of leaders of the liberation movements and nations of the Southern African region.
“We are hurt and grieve deeply at the passing of this gallant freedom fighter and visionary icon, who led and delivered independence and nationhood to the Namibian people, and who proceeded to work tirelessly for the broader unity and integration of our SADC region, which he had co-founded well before his country’s independence,” he observed.
He added that Zimbabwe will always remember and cherish Nujoma’s principled and unconditional support as the southeastern African nation “faced concerted onslaught by vindictive countries of the West following our land reform programme.”
“He took our struggle to fulfil the goals of the liberation struggle as his own, always standing by us, regardless of the ever-mounting odds. For his sake and in his honour, we must remain steadfast in our Pan-African unity and unshakeable in the defence of African interests, our collective peace, and sovereignty as a continent,” said Mnangagwa.
The Gambia’s president, Adama Barrow, likewise extended his condolences yesterday, saying Nujoma will be remembered for leading the fight for independence.
India’s former ambassador to Namibia, Prashant Agrawal, vividly recalled that as a young boy growing up in the late 80s, Namibia’s struggle for independence, led by Nujoma and Swapo, inspired them.
Agrawal, who is now attached to Laos, said he had the good fortune in 2019 to travel to Nujoma’s native village up in northern Namibia to wish him well on his 90th birthday.
“Later that year, at our request, he very graciously agreed to preside over the 150th birth anniversary celebrations of Mahatma Gandhi. It was poignant to see the Father of the Namibian nation honouring and paying tribute to the Father of the Indian nation, our countries united in the values we stand for,” he reminisced.
Chadian politician and diplomat Moussa Faki Mahamat fondly recalled Nujoma as the epitome of courage.
“We extend our most heartfelt condolences to Founding First Lady Kovambo Nujoma, his family and the government and the people of Namibia at this most difficult time,” he stated.
-psiririka@nepc.com.na