OKANGHUDI – Founding President Sam Nujoma’s leadership attributes continue to resonate with his illustrious career as a freedom fighter and statesman.
As tributes continue to stream in for the veteran leader, such qualities have become common denominators in all tributes.
For former President Hifikepunye Pohamba, one of those who spent several years with Nujoma at the height of the country’s struggle for independence, the news of Nujoma’s passing was not easy to bear.
Describing the founding president as a true leader and fearless man who did not discriminate against any tribe, Pohamba said Namibia has lost a great man.
“Nujoma was a president for all Namibians. I have never seen a dynamic leader like Nujoma,” he stated.
Pohamba was speaking yesterday at his homestead in Okanghudi village in the Ohangwena region. “When I left the hospital, I was sad because I didn’t get a chance to speak to my colleague Nujoma. He was unable to talk,” he added.
Pohamba emphasised that he had a good relationship with Nujoma since 1960 when they first met in Tanzania.
“Nujoma was a man who valued education. During the liberation struggle, he sent people to school, including Hidipo Hamutenya,” he said.
Former president Pohamba noted that many universities were built under Nujoma’s leadership.
“He always emphasised that all Namibian children must go to school,” he added.
Pohamba said that the late Nujoma is the reason Namibia is a free country today.
In addition, he said that without Nujoma, Namibia would not have attained independence.
“This is the man who didn’t give up despite the challenges he faced during the liberation struggle. He led us well,” he said.
Pohamba recalled that whenever they met with Nujoma, they would talk and share stories about their experiences during the liberation struggle.
“We used to speak about our fellow African leaders, such as Nelson Mandela, Kenneth Kaunda, and many others,” he said.
Pohamba stated that both him and Nujoma never consumed alcohol, and whenever they met, they only drank juice.
“He did not drink alcohol because he said it would delay his work,” he added.
Pohamba expressed his appreciation for Nujoma, who supported him during his campaign for the 2004 presidential elections.
At Swapo’s 2004 party congress, Nujoma, who did not intend to seek a fourth term as president, made clear that he favoured Pohamba to succeed him. The party subsequently gave Pohamba its nomination.
He achieved a landslide victory in the presidential election held in November of that year, garnering 76% of the votes. On 21 March 2005, he was sworn in as president, becoming Namibia’s second president since the country gained independence.
“He believed in me because of what I had done during the liberation struggle, which is why he allowed me to become the second president,” Pohamba said.
Shortly thereafter, Pohamba announced his cabinet, which included five women, along with a radically restructured system of ministries.
In November 2007, Pohamba ascended to the presidency of Swapo upon Nujoma’s resignation.
Pohamba urged Swapo members to maintain unity in honour of Nujoma whom he said rated unity high.
“Now, I look to President Nangolo Mbumba and elected President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah to lead the country,” he stressed.