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Nujoma lives on in namesakes

Nujoma lives on in namesakes

Auleria Wakudumo

Several individuals named after late Founding President Sam Nujoma have expressed their commitment to uphold and preserve his legacy.

They expressed great pride in bearing the name of a legendary figure who fought for Namibia’s independence.

Sam Shafiishuna Haimbodi, a grade 10 learner at Maurits Devenish Private School in Ongwediva, said he felt fortunate to have met the founding father in person in 2017 at his homestead at Etunda village.

Despite being called ‘Omukokoli’ by his father when he was younger, Haimbodi did not fully understand the significance of his name and the legacy behind it until he had the chance to meet Nujoma in person.

“I understood better when I went to Etunda village to visit my namesake. There, my namesake shared the history of Namibia, particularly during the liberation struggle, how they fought for independence, and the challenges they faced. From that moment, I realised that I wasn’t just named after anyone, but after Namibia’s hero,” he beamed.

Haimbodi is inspired by the late founding father and aspires to continue his legacy, whether in politics or any other field, to contribute to the betterment of Namibia, just like his namesake.

Haimbodi’s father Veiko stated that he named his first-born after Nujoma because he was inspired by the founding father’s hard work and dedication to Namibia’s independence.

“I met Nujoma in 1989 at Okatana Service in Oshakati during his first rally,” Haimbodi said.

After the rally, he was inspired by his work, so he prayed to God to bless him with a son so that he could name him after Nujoma.

“When God blessed me with my first-born son, I named him after the founding president,” the elder Haimbodi said. 

Sam Shafoixuna Haindongo, a resident of Ekoka in the Ohangwena region, said his parents named him after the founding father to honour him for protecting them from their enemies.

“Although I don’t have an interest in politics like my namesake, I am still inspired to bring change to the community,” he noted.

Samuel Nujoma Immanuel from Okathitu in the Oshana region stated that he was given the name and surname of the founding father.

“I don’t have his middle name ‘Shafiishuna’, but I feel honoured and lucky to carry his legacy,” Immanuel said. 

He added that he always wanted to meet his namesake, but unfortunately, the opportunity never came.

However, Immanuel said he followed Nujoma’s hard work and dedication to Namibia’s freedom through radio and television.

“I remember watching television at my neighbour’s house, and I would always tell them that the man on screen is my namesake, the one who liberated our nation,” he recalled.

Immanuel was bullied for being named after someone his parents or he himself had never met. But it has never brought him down or made him question the legendary name, he said.

Immanuel thus encouraged individuals named after Nujoma to stand up and uphold his name, stating that even though he has passed on, his legacy continues through his namesakes.

‘Sam Shafiishuna’ is a name shared by many Namibians across the country, who have chosen to honour him for his pivotal role in leading Namibia to freedom.

-wakudumoauleria@gmail.com