NAMIBIA honoured its first president, Sam Nujoma, with a state funeral on Saturday, as African leaders gathered to pay their final respects. Nujoma, who led the country to independence in 1990, died at the age of 95. His funeral drew dignitaries from across the continent, reflecting his impact on the struggle against colonial rule.
Among those attending were South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, former South African leader Thabo Mbeki, and ex-Tanzanian President Jakaya Kikwete. Addressing mourners, Namibian President Nangolo Mbumba praised Nujoma’s role in ending apartheid-era rule in the country.
‘We fought under your command, won the liberation struggle, and forever removed apartheid colonialism from the face of Namibia,’ Mbumba said.
A leader shaped by history
Born in 1929, Nujoma grew up herding cattle before becoming a revolutionary figure in the fight against South African occupation. He co-founded the South West Africa People’s Organisation (SWAPO), which led the armed struggle against colonial rule. After years in exile, he returned to lead Namibia to independence on 21 March 1990, becoming the country’s first president.
His coffin, draped in Namibia’s red, green, and blue flag, was laid to rest at Heroes’ Acre, a war memorial constructed with North Korean support. The site commemorates those who resisted German and later South African rule.
A complex legacy
Nujoma’s leadership spanned 15 years, during which he sought to unify Namibia’s diverse political and ethnic groups. However, he faced criticism for suppressing press freedom, opposing LGBTQ+ rights, and pushing for a constitutional amendment that allowed him to run for a third term in 1998.
Despite these controversies, he remains a towering figure in Namibian history. His contributions to the country’s liberation were widely recognised at his funeral, where leaders celebrated his role in shaping an independent Namibia.
The farewell to Nujoma marks the end of an era, but his legacy as Namibia’s ‘founding father’ remains deeply embedded in the nation’s history.
(This report includes information from Reuters.)
