Elago Shipanga
Justice Muinjo has described Founding President Sam Shafiishuna Nujoma as a genius who had God-given natural abilities.
Muinjo, who led group of Namibians that returned to Namibia from Botswana on 20 September 2024, said this in an interview with the Ministry of Information and Communication Technology in Gam recently.
He said it was no coincidence that Nujoma sought blessings from revered Chief Hosea Kutako before going into exile through Botswana to lead the struggle for independence.
The 70-year-old Muinjo, who never met Nujoma personally, recalled hearing about the Father of the Namibian Nation’s journey through Botswana, including his brief stay at his uncle’s house before proceeding to Tanzania.
“Nujoma was a born leader, a genius with natural powers. Before he left Namibia, he sought the blessings of Chief Hosea Kutako, who like him, possessed extraordinary leadership abilities. Nujoma was given a knobkerrie as a symbol for paving the way for his mission to fight the brutal apartheid South African regime for Namibia’s total liberation.
“Despite leading a smaller group of the People’s Liberation Army of Namibia fighters, Nujoma defeated the well-equipped apartheid South African army, which was the strongest in Africa at the time. He performed miracles, and that is why I say he was no ordinary man,” Muinjo added.
Muinjo emphasised that leaders like Nujoma are rare to find and should be honoured. He said, Nujoma will be remembered together with other African icons such as Nelson Mandela. He noted that both leaders pursued national reconciliation after their countries gained independence, ensuring unity and integration even with those who once opposed Namibia’s independence.
“Nujoma passed the blessings received to us. During his tenure as president, Namibia achieved tremendous development milestones, surpassing many nations despite being a newly independent country,” Muinjo added.
Nujoma died on 8 February in a Windhoek hospital. He will be buried at the Heroes Acre tomorrow.
*Elago Shipanga is an information officer at MICT Otjozondjupa.