Iuze Mukube 

Landless People’s Movement leader and chief change campaigner Bernadus Swartbooi has lauded the legacy of Founding President Sam Nujoma. 

Swartbooi said Nujoma’s contributions to the nation will be immortalised in history. 

He was speaking at the party’s press conference yesterday. 

He emphasised that Namibian history, particularly from the 60s, is incomplete without the mention of the name “Sam Shafiishuna Nujoma.” 

“After many years of colonialism, he was one of those leaders who lifted the torch of victory on behalf, at least in this instance of Namibia, of the Black people who were oppressed,” the firebrand politician said. 

Although Nujoma endured difficulties in this journey, with his leadership and character tested, he remained focused and disciplined to the Namibian cause. 

As such, “when a person offers his life for a struggle for freedom and independence, we must salute, at a time like this, that person.” 

Nujoma died at the age of 95 last Saturday. 

Swartbooi added that through Nujoma’s leadership, Namibia’s political and social fabrics were shaped. 

“His debts on earth are paid. His life was lived to the best of his ability as he knew how, often under circumstances not chosen by him or by his generation. It now belongs to the ages,” he said before appealing for discipline and respect as the world mourns and celebrates the liberation struggle icon’s legacy. 

For him, Nujoma was no saint nor perfect. But no one is, as even one’s best intentions can be misunderstood, he added. 

“He became a first among equals, and he stood up and made his contribution at a very dangerous time across the continent,” Swartbooi, once a member of the ruling Swapo Party, said. 

He quit Swapo in 2017 to form the Landless People’s Movement, then just a pressure group. Ironically, Swartbooi left Swapo following a public spat with former land reform minister, Utoni Nujoma, the founding president’s eldest son. Swartbooi refused to apologise to Utoni, his then supremo, and walked away. 

Furthermore, Swartbooi said Nujoma did not end at independence, as he returned and others returned home to set up the State, again under circumstances less than perfect. 

“We must be respectful to his family, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. We should be respectful. And give recognition as Christians, as leaders, and give a good send-off to a man who did what had to be done for the country he loved,” he stated emphatically. 

He added that Nujoma will be remembered in many circles in a decent way, as he influenced many young people who have joined politics across the SADC region. 

“We just wish the family all the best and all the strength. He lived a full life, and this is a chapter that is closed,” he observed.