Lahja Nashuuta

Leaders of local political parties have described founding president and leader of the Namibian revolution, Sam Nujoma, an icon and a principled trailblazer who dedicated his life to the betterment of all Namibians.

Nujoma, whom the Parliament of Namibia honoured with the titles “Founding President of the Republic of Namibia” and “Father of the Namibian Nation”, died on Saturday at age 95 in Windhoek from ill health, President Nangolo Mbumba announced yesterday.

In 2007 Swapo named him “Leader of the Namibian Revolution”.

Joining Mbumba in leading the tributes yesterday was Popular Democratic Movement (PDM) leader McHenry Venaani, who said Nujoma will forever be remembered as an unparalleled leader, a timeless fighter for freedom and justice of the African people. 

“A petitioner for our freedom, a political statesman of note, a dwelling of our country’s modern democracy, a man who has given all his time, energy to the struggle and emancipation of our people. Nujoma was a heroic figure in leading our people against many odds,” said Venaani.

Not only was Nujoma and the Swapo party his political opponents, but Venaani said the former president was someone from whom he learned a lot in and outside of politics. 

“I was very lucky to have served as a member of parliament while he was the country’s president. I have seen him on the political stage and got to witness how he conducted himself as a leader. Nujoma was the most decisive leader I have ever seen in our country. When he had to take a decision, he would take that decision. And that is something that I can say I took away from leadership style; it is to be decisive as a leader.”

Independent Patriots for Change (IPC) national general secretary Christine !Aochamus said Nujoma will be remembered for laying the foundation of a democratic Namibia and for providing hope to the younger generations.

“We are all here because of his leadership and those who went before us to lay a solid foundation for where we are today as a sovereign nation. We will eternally remain grateful for their bravery of having taken on the task making Namibia what it is now – self-determined country in which young people like myself can rise and take up leadership positions. So, it is a very sad day for Namibia. It’s a sad day for Africa, a sad day for everyone who he had crossed paths with,” she said.

Nujoma ideals 

Narrating how she grew up during the Nujoma presidency, !Aochamus said: “You know when we were growing up singing ‘Sam Olipeni’, we had no idea who he was, but we knew there was something about this man. There was something about the role he played and the significance of his life and to that we are eternally grateful for. He set a very firm foundation.”

“I remember how strict he was as a president and the discipline we had in this country. I’m just praying for us as Namibians to go back to those principles that Nujoma and others set at independence, the ideals of service, those of solidarity, those of unity and to ensure we have a prosperous Namibia at the end of the day” she added. 

Also paying tribute to the late statesman was the Landless People Movement (LPM), who acknowledged the role the founding president played in the liberation of the country. 

“He shall forever be in the history books among great names such as the likes of Andimba Toivo ya Toivo, Emil Apollus, Mishake Muyongo, Peter Nanyemba, and Hendrik Witbooi,” said the LPM.

Joseph Kauandenge, the secretary general of the National Unity Democratic Organisation (Nudo) said the late president was a beacon of hope at a time when it was a very difficult journey during the apartheid era.

“He stood shoulders above the rest of the leaders at a tough time trying his utmost best to make sure that Namibia gained independence and for that, we all should celebrate his life, and we should be a nation indebted to him. But of course, like any other mortal being, he was not perfect because all of us as humans, are never perfect,” said Kauandenge. 

The Affirmative Repositioning (AR) spokesperson George Kambala said Nujoma’s departure leaves a void in the hearts of Namibians and the broader African continent, but his legacy will forever echo in the history of Namibia’s struggle for freedom, justice, and equality. 

“Sam Nujoma was more than a political leader; he was the embodiment of resistance against colonialism and imperialism. As the commander of the People’s Liberation Army of Namibia (Plan), he led with unwavering determination, guiding his people through decades of armed struggle. His leadership of Plan ensured the fight for Namibia’s liberation was not only sustained but grew into a force capable of challenging the apartheid regime” he said. 

Steadfast leader 

Kambala said Nujoma will be remembered for his strategic leadership on the battlefield, alongside his diplomatic efforts, that brought Namibia closer to achieving the independence it rightfully deserved. 

“We recognize that the revolutionary agenda Sam Nujoma championed was not limited to a military struggle but extended into the very fabric of the Namibian nation. His tireless advocacy for land reform, education, social justice, and national unity laid the foundation for the democratic nation that Namibia is today. His legacy of ensuring the struggle was always about the people — the poor, the landless, and the disenfranchised, continues to inspire movements across Namibia that seek to rectify the imbalances of the past,” he said.

Meanwhile, the president of the Namibian Exile Kids Association (Neka) Kadiva Hamutumwa hailed Nujoma as a gallant freedom fighter, a brave cadre, the tree branch that is not shaken by the wind, a visionary, a Pan-Africanist par excellence and an organic thinker.

“His commitment to the liberation struggle and nation-building post-independence will always be celebrated,” said Hamutumwa. 

She said the children of the liberation struggle will forever remember the late founding president as a caretaker who provided them with safety and security in the camps and created opportunities around the world with friendly countries where they were sent for educational opportunities. 

“We urge all Namibians to unite on this sad day and remember that a united people striving for a common goal for all members of society will always remain victorious. On his passing, we say revolutionaries never die, and we shall forever remain pioneers of the struggle” he said

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