Cuban leader Miguel Díaz-Canel Bermúdez has declared a mourning period in honour of Founding President Sam Nujoma, who died on Saturday. That official mourning period started yesterday at 06h00, and will last until midnight today.
The Cuban president also declared a national mourning period from tomorrow at 06h00 until midnight.
“During the validity of both the official and national mourning periods, the Cuban flag will be flown at half-mast in public buildings and military institutions. Likewise, while national mourning is in effect, public shows and festive activities are suspended,” stated the Cuban Presidency.
Nujoma was a dear old brother of revolutionary hero Fidel Castro.
Díaz-Canel added: “Deep sorrow to learn of the passing of Cuba’s great friend, Sam Nujoma, Founding Father and first president of Namibia, who led his people in the fight for independence and against apartheid. My heartfelt condolences to the brotherly Namibian people, family and friends.”
The late Nujoma, alongside the late Hage Geingob and former president Hifikepunye Pohamba, travelled to Havana in November 2016 to bid farewell and attend the funeral of their revolutionary brother, Castro. At the time, Nujoma hailed Castro as a legendary revolutionary figure who secured his place in modern history through his unwavering opposition to imperialism, and his remarkable resilience in the face of colonialism.
Elsewhere, China’s president Xi Jinping described Nujoma as a statesman and revolutionary leader of the older generation in Africa who made historic contributions. Xi said the way Nujoma committed to leading the Namibian people in their pursuit of national independence, liberation and a development path suited to the country’s conditions is commendable.
“Throughout his life, he remained a firm friend of China, and actively promoted traditional China-Namibia friendship and China-Africa cooperation. The passing of Nujoma is a tremendous loss for the people of Namibia; the Chinese people have also lost an old and dear friend,” said Xi. He indicated that the Chinese government and the Chinese people deeply cherish the traditional friendship between China and Namibia.
He also believes the joint efforts of both sides and the comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership between China and Namibia will surely achieve even greater development.
Meanwhile, the Thabo Mbeki Foundation issued a statement yesterday, emphasising that throughout his extraordinary life, Nujoma embodied the essence of Pan-Africanism and solidarity.
“Nujoma was the last living member of a remarkable generation of African leaders who brought their nations out of colonial or white minority rule. In the ranks of Julius Nyerere of Tanzania, Kwame Nkrumah of Ghana, Oliver Tambo and Nelson Mandela of South Africa, Robert Mugabe of Zimbabwe, Kenneth Kaunda of Zambia, Samora Machel of Mozambique, Andimba Toivo ya Toivo of Namibia and many others, President Nujoma fought tirelessly for freedom, justice and the inalienable right of African nations to determine their destinies,” Mbeki, who was South Africa’s second democratically- elected leader, said. He added that Nujoma’s steadfast commitment to African unity and global justice was rightly recognised through numerous honours, including South Africa’s Order of the Companions of O.R. Tambo in Gold, awarded for his resolute opposition to the apartheid regime.
“In honouring his life, let us forge ahead with the spirit of Pan-Africanism, bound by solidarity and abiding devotion to the continent we cherish. May Dr Sam Nujoma’s enduring example guide all of us towards an Africa that is truly free, peaceful and flourishing. Hamba Kahle, Comrade Sam Nujoma!”-psirirka@nepc.com.na