WINDHOEK, NAMIBIA — Namibia’s first president, Sam Nujoma, has passed away at the age of 95 in the capital, Windhoek, the country’s current leader, Nangolo Mbumba, has announced.
Nujoma played a pivotal role in Namibia’s liberation struggle, leading the fight for independence from South African rule. In the 1960s, he co-founded the South West Africa People’s Organisation (Swapo), which later became the ruling party. His efforts culminated in Namibia gaining independence in 1990, after which he served as the nation’s first president until 2005.
According to President Mbumba, Nujoma had been hospitalized for three weeks due to an illness from which he was unable to recover. He passed away on Saturday, with the president expressing deep sorrow, saying the loss had profoundly shaken the nation.
Nujoma leaves behind a legacy as the architect of Namibia’s independence and democracy, remembered for his decades of dedication to the country’s sovereignty and development.
He “inspired us to rise to our feet and to become masters of this vast land of our ancestors,” President Mbumba said.
He added: “Our founding father lived a long and consequential life during which he exceptionally served the people of his beloved country.”
After serving as Namibia’s first president from 1990 to 2005, Sam Nujoma stepped down from the presidency but remained at the helm of the ruling Swapo party until 2007, concluding an impressive 47-year leadership tenure.
Widely revered as the “Father of the Nation” and a symbol of Namibia’s liberation struggle, Nujoma lived up to these titles through his leadership and deep connection with the people.
Beyond politics, he was known for his charismatic and approachable nature. His warm smile and down-to-earth demeanor made him widely respected. Whether jogging in a tracksuit during community fun runs along Independence Avenue in Windhoek or ensuring his driver stayed back from official motorcades, Nujoma consistently portrayed himself as a leader of the people.
Fighting for freedom
Sam Nujoma, the giant of Namibia’s liberation struggle, leaves behind a legacy that few can match. His vision and leadership not only secured the country’s independence but also laid the foundation for its national identity and democratic governance.
A nation’s painful past
Namibia, formerly known as South West Africa, endured decades of colonial exploitation and violence. At the turn of the 20th century, European settlers, particularly the Germans, committed atrocities against the indigenous population. Between 1904 and 1908, tens of thousands of Namibians perished in what is now recognized as the world’s first genocide of the 20th century. The German administration used black Africans as test subjects for brutal experiments—methods later mirrored in the Holocaust.
Following Germany’s defeat in World War I, Namibia fell under South African rule, where apartheid laws stripped black Namibians of political, social, and economic rights. The introduction of racist policies sparked a guerrilla war for independence in 1966, marking the beginning of a long and painful struggle.
Nujoma’s rise to revolution
Born in the village of Etunda, Nujoma had a humble upbringing as the eldest son of a peasant family. With limited formal education, he worked on the railways while nurturing a deep political consciousness. Inspired by early resistance leaders like Hendrik Witbooi, he took a leading role in the fight against white-minority rule.
In 1959, he became the head of the Owamboland People’s Organization, the predecessor of Swapo. By 1960, at just 30 years old, he was forced into exile, navigating across Zambia, Tanzania, and West Africa using different identities. In Liberia, he secured an audience with the United Nations, where he passionately lobbied for Namibia’s independence—but South Africa refused to let go.
Labeled a “Marxist terrorist”, Nujoma led Swapo’s military wing from exile, waging an armed struggle against South African forces with the backing of Cuba and Angola. When he returned to Namibia, he was arrested and deported to Zambia, but his determination never wavered.
As he later wrote in his autobiography, Where Others Wavered (2001), “We knew that only military force and mass political mobilization backed by the people would force South Africa out of Namibia.”
His prediction proved accurate. By 1989, after years of escalating conflict and growing international pressure, South Africa agreed to grant Namibia independence.
Building a new nation
In Namibia’s first democratic elections in 1990, Swapo secured a resounding victory, and Nujoma was sworn in as the country’s first president. His leadership steered Namibia into an era of stability and development.
He was particularly passionate about social justice, introducing policies that enforced child maintenance payments to ensure fathers supported their children. He also championed women’s rights, dismantling traditional customs that forced widows out of their homes upon their husband’s death.
Determined to unite the country, Nujoma embraced a policy of national reconciliation, ensuring that Namibia’s white community remained and continued contributing to the economy. This approach prevented racial tensions and helped solidify Namibia’s reputation as one of Africa’s most stable democracies.
However, his leadership was not without controversy. In 1999, he amended the constitution to allow himself a third term, drawing criticism from opponents. He was also known for his strong personality, sometimes reacting sharply to criticism and maintaining firm control over Swapo’s political machinery.
While he disapproved of same-sex relationships, he never pushed for their criminalization. His deep friendship with Zimbabwe’s Robert Mugabe also raised concerns, though he largely avoided open hostility towards opponents.
A legacy of leadership
After 47 years at the helm, Nujoma stepped down as Swapo leader in 2007, handing over power to Hifikepunye Pohamba. Though he retired from public office, his influence remained strong, guiding Namibia’s political landscape behind the scenes.
His contributions did not go unnoticed. In 2005, he was officially honored as Namibia’s Founding Father, and he received international recognition, including the Lenin Peace Prize, Indira Gandhi Peace Prize, and Ho Chi Minh Peace Prize.
Even in his later years, Nujoma remained a symbol of national unity, spending time with his large family and reflecting on a life dedicated to liberation, leadership, and legacy.
Despite the suffering inflicted upon black Namibians during colonial rule, Nujoma upheld the constitutional rights of all citizens, regardless of race. His ability to unite a diverse nation of three million people across multiple ethnic and linguistic backgrounds remains one of his greatest achievements.
He will be remembered not just as a revolutionary leader, but as a father to a nation—a man whose vision, determination, and sacrifices shaped modern Namibia.
