ONGWEDIVA – Several retired bishops who led their denominations during late Founding President Sam Nujoma’s presidency remember him as a man who maintained a strong relationship with the church.

Nujoma died on Saturday evening in Windhoek after being hospitalised for some days. 

He was 95. Retired Bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Namibia (ELCIN), Apollos Kaulinge, first met Nujoma in 1970 in France, where they attended the same meeting.

He said the meeting was also attended by various Lutheran bishops from around the world. 

“We discussed how the Lutheran Church could get involved in supporting the Swapo Party,” Kaulinge recalls. 

He emphasised that Nujoma was a true Christian, and willing to cooperate with the churches in Namibia’s quest for self-determination. 

“We came back home, joined hands together, and shared our inputs,” he said, adding that the goal was to achieve Namibia’s freedom.

Kaulinge stressed that people like Nujoma should be honoured by future generations.

“We should not mourn his departure, but celebrate his achievements. He played his part and completed his tasks,” he said.

Kaulinge noted that in today’s world, when people mourn, they often don’t allow others to appreciate the deceased. 

“We should appreciate selfless people like Nujoma. We should mention his achievements while mourning because it is not a secret,” he urged. 

He added that the nation should continue mourning peacefully.

Also speaking to New Era was retired Anglican Bishop Shihala Hamupembe, who retired in 2005.

Hamupembe said Nujoma “fought the good fight and kept the faith.”

“These are the true leaders; a fearless man who brought independence to Namibia,” he added.

During the war, apartheid brutally disrupted peace in Namibia.

“Nujoma successfully ended apartheid. We are free now because of him,” he said.

Another retired ELCIN bishop, Josephat Shanghala, recalled meeting Nujoma in 1983 in New York about the United Nations and its role in freeing Namibia from the repugnant South African apartheid regime. 

“We had a good relationship until his death. 

I lost a good friend who fought for our freedom,” he said.

Shanghala emphasised that Nujoma did not like tribalism, as during his presidency, he appointed ministers from various tribes into his Cabinet.

He added that after independence, there were no proper roads, schools, electricity or clean water.

“Today, we have everything, thanks to Nujoma. People now have access to clean water in the villages,” he said.

Meanwhile, retired Bishop Shekutaamba VV Nambala remembers Nujoma as a peaceful man who loved unity. 

“He was a true father of the Namibian nation. 

That’s why we call him the father of the nation,” he said.

-fhamalwa@nepc.com.na