Uakutura Kambaekua

OPUWO – Kunene has joined the rest of Namibia in mourning the death of Founding President Sam Nujoma, who died on Saturday in a Windhoek hospital at the age of 95.
Swapo coordinator for Kunene, Julius Kaujova, hailed Nujoma as a passionate freedom fighter who led Namibia to independence from apartheid South Africa in 1990. 

He characterised him as a unifier and an iconic figure of the liberation struggle.
In an interview with Nampa on Monday, Kaujova emphasised the significant impact Nujoma had on improving the lives of Namibians, especially in rural areas, through various initiatives designed to ensure inclusivity.

“His commitment to the fight for independence will be remembered. Nujoma established various agencies and organisations that benefitted all Namibians equally, particularly in areas such as fishing quotas, mining rights for small-scale miners in rural areas, and the introduction of literacy programmes that provided educational access to everyone, regardless of their status,” he stated.
Kaujova expressed that Namibia has lost a paternal figure who greatly influenced the nation by dedicating his youth to the struggle for independence. 

He further mentioned Nujoma’s contributions to Kunene, specifically in terms of social and economic development.
“Nujoma had a profound impact on Kunene. His introduction of mobile schools for marginalised nomadic communities ensured that all children could access education, which was one of his most significant initiatives.

He also promoted conservation by empowering traditional leaders to manage conservancies for their communities’ benefit,” Kaujova noted.
Tuaakoveni Kenaumue, chairperson of the Kunene Regional Youth Forum, referred to Nujoma as the “last man standing.”

“The last man standing among the leaders of the liberation movement of our Southern African countries has indeed fallen; this era has come to an end,” he expressed.

Kenaumue emphasised that Nujoma remains a powerful source of inspiration for young people, urging them to fight for their rights without compromise and to rise above tribal divisions.

He further noted that the late former head of State was a towering figure of liberation and a champion of African independence, whose legacy will continue to inspire future generations.

Nujoma served as Namibia’s president for 15 years, during which he received numerous accolades for his leadership, including the Lenin Peace Prize, the Indira Gandhi Peace Prize, and the Ho Chi Minh Award.
-Nampa