Namibia bid a heartfelt farewell to its founding father, Sam Nujoma, in a state funeral held at Heroes Acre in Windhoek on Saturday. Thousands of mourners, including African leaders, foreign dignitaries, and Namibians from all walks of life, gathered to honor the man who led the country to independence from apartheid South Africa.
Nujoma, who passed away on February 8 at the age of 95, was remembered as a revolutionary icon and a pillar of African liberation.
The ceremony was attended by Nujoma’s widow, Theopoldine, his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.
African leaders past and present, including South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, Zimbabwe’s Emmerson Mnangagwa, and former Tanzanian President Jakaya Kikwete, paid tribute to his legacy.
Namibia’s current president, Nangolo Mbumba, described Nujoma as “a giant among leaders” and “the most distinguished son of the soil.”
He highlighted Nujoma’s extraordinary journey from humble beginnings in the village of Etunda to becoming a global statesman who fought for Namibia’s freedom.
Nujoma’s life was marked by his unwavering commitment to ending colonial rule. Born in 1929 in northern Namibia, he rose from herding cattle to leading the South West Africa People’s Organization (SWAPO) in its struggle against apartheid.
Under his leadership, SWAPO launched an armed resistance in 1966 and gained international recognition as the legitimate representative of Namibians.
His efforts culminated in Namibia’s independence in 1990, when he became the country’s first president, a role he held for three terms until 2005.
The state funeral followed a 21-day mourning period during which Namibians honored Nujoma’s memory. His body was transported across seven regions, including his hometown of Etunda, allowing thousands to pay their respects. The procession concluded at Heroes Acre, where his casket draped in the Namibian flag was lowered into a mausoleum with a 21-gun salute and an Air Force flypast.
Speakers at the funeral celebrated Nujoma’s legacy as one of the last great liberators of Africa. Vice-chairperson of the Sam Nujoma Foundation, Pendukeni Ithana, called him “an epitome of the struggle for the liberation of an African person.” His eldest son, Utoni Nujoma, described him as “a fountain of wisdom” who dedicated his life to Namibia’s freedom and inspired generations across the continent.
Nujoma joins other national heroes at Heroes Acre—a site dedicated to those who contributed to Namibia’s liberation. His burial marked the end of an era but left behind a legacy of peace, stability, and independence that continues to shape Namibia today.
Source: Africa News
