Namibia has laid to rest its founding father, Sam Nujoma, in a solemn ceremony marking the end of an era for the nation and the African continent.
President Nangolo Mbumba led tributes, describing Nujoma as “a giant among leaders” whose fight for independence left Namibians with “the most precious gift of freedom.”
Nujoma, who passed away last month at 95, was a central figure in Namibia’s decades-long struggle against South African apartheid rule. He helped establish the South West Africa People’s Organisation (SWAPO) and led the country to independence in 1990. As Namibia’s first president, serving until 2005, he championed peace, stability, and national reconciliation, ensuring that the white community remained and continued contributing to the economy.
His state funeral saw thousands of mourners gathering in Windhoek. A military procession transported his flag-draped coffin to Heroes’ Acre, where he was buried in a mausoleum. Attendees waved Namibian flags and sang liberation songs, including “Sam Ouli Peni?” (Sam, Where Are You?).
Among the dignitaries present were the presidents of Angola, South Africa, and Zimbabwe, reflecting Nujoma’s significance in Africa’s broader anti-colonial struggle.
Namibia’s history, shaped by German colonization (1884–1915) and South African rule, was marked by apartheid laws that denied Black Namibians political rights. Nujoma led a guerrilla war for independence in 1966, ultimately securing freedom in 1990.
Beyond politics, he championed women’s and children’s rights, enforcing laws to hold fathers accountable for child support.
With his passing, Namibia and Africa bid farewell to one of the last anti-colonial revolutionaries of his generation. Yet, his legacy of freedom and unity lives on.