Utoni Nujoma, the eldest son of Founding President Sam Nujoma, has described him as a protective, loving husband and father.

He was speaking at the final State memorial service for the late Namibian icon at the Independence Stadium in Windhoek on Friday.

“Our father was a loving husband to his dear wife, our mother, madam Theopoldine Kovambo Nujoma, the founding first lady.

He was a caring father to my siblings and I, as well as a reliable and protective head of the family, who devoted his life to the entire Nujoma, Kondombolo and Mushimba families,” he narrated.

Utoni, who is also the Minister of Labour, Industrial Relations and Employment Creation, urged Namibians to aspire to achieve Nujoma’s vision and fulfil the values the late statesman possessed.

“As we remember him, let us honour his values of selflessness and community service. My father’s journey is woven into the very fabric of our nation’s history. We will ensure that his vision for a brighter future continues through the projects he initiated,” he said.

In his final tribute to his father, Utoni said: “Dear father, you will be dearly missed, but your spirit will forever inspire us and future generations to come. We are grateful to have had a father like you.

We thank you for your love, service and unwavering dedication to the course of freedom in our country and oppressed people. 

Rest in peace, our father, grandfather, great-grandfather and father of the Namibian nation. May your soul rest in eternal peace till we meet again.”

The service was attended by thousands of Namibians as well as dignitaries from various countries such as Zimbabwe, Finland, South Africa and Zambia.

Nujoma is survived by his wife, three children, and 24 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren. He was laid to rest at the Heroes’ Acre in Windhoek on Saturday. -Nampa