Sam Nujoma, the founding president of independent Namibia, has passed away at the age of 95 in the capital, Windhoek. His death was announced with deep sorrow by the current Namibian president, Nangolo Mbumba, who highlighted Nujoma’s significant contributions to the nation’s history.
Nujoma was instrumental in Namibia’s fight for independence from South Africa. As one of the founders of the South-West African People’s Organization (Swapo) in the 1960s, he played a pivotal role in the liberation movement. Following Namibia’s independence in 1990, after which it joined the Commonwealth, he became the country’s first president, a position he held until 2005. Even after retiring from the presidency, Nujoma continued to lead Swapo until 2007, marking nearly five decades of leadership within the party.
Throughout his tenure, Nujoma was credited with fostering peace and stability in post-independence Namibia. His policy of national reconciliation was particularly significant, encouraging the white minority community to remain in the country, where they continued to contribute to sectors like agriculture and the broader economy. He was also an advocate for social reforms, championing the rights of women and children and implementing measures to ensure paternal responsibility for children born out of wedlock.
Nujoma was hospitalized for three weeks prior to his passing. An illness had hospitalized Nujoma for three weeks, from which he could not recover. The incident has elicited widespread tributes both domestically and internationally, despite the absence of funeral arrangements. President Mbumba paid personal condolences to Nujoma’s family, including his wife, Kovambo Theopoldine Katjimune, aged 91. Many Namibians mourn his passing, remembering him as the “father of the nation.”
World leaders have also acknowledged Nujoma’s enduring legacy. King Charles III expressed profound sadness over his death, recognizing his lifelong dedication to freedom and democracy. African leaders, including South Africa’s President Cyril Ramaphosa and Kenya’s President William Ruto, praised Nujoma’s visionary leadership and his role in the broader African liberation movements. The African Union Commission Chairman, Moussa Faki Mahamat, described him as a symbol of courage and unity for both Namibia and the continent.
