The Namibian Presidency stated on Sunday that Sam Nujoma, a guerrilla leader and campaigner who became Namibia’s first democratically elected president following the country’s independence from South Africa’s apartheid regime, passed away on Saturday at the age of 95.
After taking over as leader of the sparsely populated southern African nation on March 21, 1990, Nujoma was officially acknowledged as the “Founding Father of the Namibian Nation” by a 2005 constitutional provision.
His intolerance of critical media coverage, his tirade against homosexuality, and the 1998 constitutional amendment that allowed him to compete for a third term all served to offset the praise.
He had long supported Robert Mugabe’s land grabs from white farmers in Zimbabwe, but Nujoma adhered to the “willing buyer, willing seller” principle at home.
“The foundations of the Republic of Namibia have been shaken,” the presidency posted on X.
“Our venerable leader, Dr. Nujoma did not only blaze the trail to freedom – but he also inspired us to rise to our feet and to become masters of this vast land of our ancestors.” Over the previous three weeks, Nujoma has been hospitalized for medical care, according to the presidency, adding: “Unfortunately, this time, the most gallant son of our land could not recover from his illness.”
“Nujoma’s leadership of a free Namibia laid the foundation for the solidarity and partnership the two countries share today,” said Cyril Ramaphosa, president of South Africa. ” A partnership we will continue to deepen as neighbours and friends.” “Dr Sam Nujoma was an extraordinary freedom fighter who divided his revolutionary programme between Namibia’s own struggle against South African colonialism and the liberation of South Africa from apartheid,” he said in a statement.
Nujoma is One of the continent’s “most illustrious revolutionary leaders” and “the epitome of courage,” according to African Union Commission Chair Moussa Faki Mahamat, During his three terms in office (1990–2005), Nujoma made an effort to portray himself as a leader who could bring people together and bring them together across party differences.
Under the motto “One Namibia, One Nation,” Nujoma’s SWAPO party managed a national reconciliation campaign in a nation still traumatized by the effects of German colonial rule and apartheid.
Under the motto “One Namibia, One Nation,” Nujoma’s SWAPO party managed a national reconciliation campaign in a nation still traumatized by the effects of German colonial rule and apartheid.
 “A united people, striving to achieve a common good for all members of the society, will always emerge victorious.” Nujoma frequently used the following phrase in his speeches.
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According to Ndumba Kamwanyah, a political analyst and lecturer at the University of Namibia, he established democratic institutions and prioritized reconciliation.
But his legacy was marred by his autocratic tendencies, which were evident in his harsh repression of the Caprivi insurrection in 1999 and his handling of the media, Kamwanyah continued. “While Nujoma’s presidency was foundational in establishing Namibia’s independence and governance, it was not without flaws,” Kamwanyah said.
But his legacy was marred by his autocratic tendencies, which were evident in his harsh repression of the Caprivi insurrection in 1999 and his handling of the media, Kamwanyah continued. “While Nujoma’s presidency was foundational in establishing Namibia’s independence and governance, it was not without flaws,” Kamwanyah said.
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According to a biography listed on the website of Nujoma’s charitable foundation, Nujoma was born in a village in northwestern Namibia in 1929, when his country was governed by South Africa. South Africa had ruled Namibia since World War One following a bloody few decades of German colonial rule that is remembered for the genocide of the Herero and Nama people. As a boy, he took care of his family’s cattle and went to a Finnish mission school before relocating to the coastal town of Walvis Bay and then the capital Windhoek, where he worked for South African Railways.
In order to concentrate his efforts on overthrowing the apartheid regime, Nujoma quit his work on the railroads.
He rose to the position of leader of the Owambo People’s Organization in the late 1950s, which was a forerunner of the SWAPO liberation movement. He organized opposition to the forced relocation of Black people in Windhoek, which resulted in the police killing 12 unarmed people and injuring several others.
Nujoma was taken into custody after being accused of planning the resistance. He went into exile in 1960. Before arriving in the United States, he traveled around Africa and petitioned the UN for Namibia’s independence.
He rose to the position of leader of the Owambo People’s Organization in the late 1950s, which was a forerunner of the SWAPO liberation movement. He organized opposition to the forced relocation of Black people in Windhoek, which resulted in the police killing 12 unarmed people and injuring several others.
Nujoma was taken into custody after being accused of planning the resistance. He went into exile in 1960. Before arriving in the United States, he traveled around Africa and petitioned the UN for Namibia’s independence.
Nujoma, who was appointed SWAPO’s leader in absentia, formed the organization’s armed branch and began a guerrilla war against the apartheid regime in 1966.
After more than ten years of pressure from Nujoma and others, a U.N. Security Council resolution in 1978 advocated a ceasefire and elections. It took an additional ten years for the ceasefire agreement to be signed and for elections to be held in late 1989.
Nujoma assumed power in March of the following year after SWAPO secured a majority in those elections.
After more than ten years of pressure from Nujoma and others, a U.N. Security Council resolution in 1978 advocated a ceasefire and elections. It took an additional ten years for the ceasefire agreement to be signed and for elections to be held in late 1989.
Nujoma assumed power in March of the following year after SWAPO secured a majority in those elections.
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