Sam Nujoma, Namibia's founding president and liberation hero, died Saturday night in Windhoek at age 95. President Nangolo Mbumba announced the death Sunday morning on NBC TV, saying the government would declare a national mourning period.
Mbumba praised Nujoma as a visionary leader who guided Namibians through their independence struggle against Apartheid South Africa. "Our Founding Father heroically marshaled the Namibian people during the darkest hours of our liberation struggle until the attainment of freedom and independence on March 21, 1990," Mbumba said.
The late president led the South West Africa People's Organization (SWAPO) from 1960 to 2007, establishing himself as a central figure in Namibian history. His leadership culminated in the country's independence, after which he served three terms as president from 1990 to 2005.
President Mbumba extended condolences to Founding First Lady Kovambo Nujoma, Labor Minister Utoni Nujoma, their children, and the entire Nujoma and Kondombolo family. He urged Namibians to find comfort in Nujoma's extraordinary contributions to liberation, development, and national unity.
Nujoma stood among Africa's last revolutionary leaders of his generation, joining ranks with Kenneth Kaunda of Zambia, Robert Mugabe of Zimbabwe, Samora Machel of Mozambique, Nelson Mandela of South Africa, and José Eduardo dos Santos of Angola. His dedication to Pan-Africanism and unwavering commitment to independence shaped Namibia's path to self-determination.
The government plans to announce funeral arrangements and the official mourning period for the revered leader who transformed his nation from a colonial territory into an independent state.
Mbumba praised Nujoma as a visionary leader who guided Namibians through their independence struggle against Apartheid South Africa. "Our Founding Father heroically marshaled the Namibian people during the darkest hours of our liberation struggle until the attainment of freedom and independence on March 21, 1990," Mbumba said.
The late president led the South West Africa People's Organization (SWAPO) from 1960 to 2007, establishing himself as a central figure in Namibian history. His leadership culminated in the country's independence, after which he served three terms as president from 1990 to 2005.
President Mbumba extended condolences to Founding First Lady Kovambo Nujoma, Labor Minister Utoni Nujoma, their children, and the entire Nujoma and Kondombolo family. He urged Namibians to find comfort in Nujoma's extraordinary contributions to liberation, development, and national unity.
Nujoma stood among Africa's last revolutionary leaders of his generation, joining ranks with Kenneth Kaunda of Zambia, Robert Mugabe of Zimbabwe, Samora Machel of Mozambique, Nelson Mandela of South Africa, and José Eduardo dos Santos of Angola. His dedication to Pan-Africanism and unwavering commitment to independence shaped Namibia's path to self-determination.
The government plans to announce funeral arrangements and the official mourning period for the revered leader who transformed his nation from a colonial territory into an independent state.
