Sam Nujoma, Namibia’s founding father and a key figure in the country’s struggle for independence from South Africa, passed away on Saturday at the age of 95, the presidency announced.
Nujoma had been hospitalized for the past three weeks due to an illness from which he was unable to recover, President Nangolo Mbumba said in a statement on Sunday.
“With the utmost sorrow and sadness,” Mbumba announced “the passing of our revered freedom fighter and revolutionary leader.” He praised Nujoma for his “long and consequential life” dedicated to serving the Namibian people.
Born to poor farmers from the Ovambo tribe, Nujoma was the eldest of ten children. He started working as a railway sweeper near Windhoek in 1949 while attending night classes. During this time, he met Herero chief Hosea Kutako, a key figure in the fight against apartheid in Namibia. Kutako became his mentor, guiding him into political activism.
In 1960, Nujoma went into exile, leaving behind his wife and four children. That same year, he was elected president of the South West Africa People’s Organisation (SWAPO), leading the movement’s campaign for independence on the international stage.
SWAPO launched an armed struggle in 1966 after South Africa refused a UN directive to relinquish control over Namibia, citing the need to contain communism in the region.
Namibia finally gained independence in 1990, one of the last African nations to do so. Nujoma won the country’s first democratic elections and served three terms as president, overseeing a period of relative stability and economic progress.
While his leadership was praised, particularly for his approach to combating AIDS, he also faced criticism for refusing to rehabilitate former SWAPO members accused of spying for apartheid South Africa. He was also known for his strong stance against homosexuality, calling it “madness” and warning of arrests and deportations in 2001.
After stepping down in 2005, his chosen successor, Hifikepunye Pohamba, won the presidency, though Nujoma remained politically influential for several years before retiring.
President Mbumba reflected on Nujoma’s lasting impact, saying, “He inspired us to rise to our feet and become masters of this vast land of our ancestors.”
President-elect Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah also paid tribute, calling Nujoma’s leadership “visionary” and praising his role in laying the foundation for an independent Namibia.
“Let us honor his legacy by upholding resilience, solidarity, and selfless service,” she said.
Nandi-Ndaitwah, who won last November’s elections, will be sworn in as Namibia’s next president next month.
