The Zimbabwean leader attended funeral services for Dr. Sam Nujoma at Namibia Heroes Acre, where he joined numerous heads of state yesterday. As chairperson of SADC, he placed a wreath near the final resting place of Namibia's first president. Dr. Nujoma was known across Africa as a Pan-Africanist leader who guided his nation after independence from 1990 through 2005. He passed away on February 8 in Windhoek.
Thousands gathered to pay respects to the liberation hero at a specially constructed mausoleum positioned at the highest point of the memorial grounds. The Heroes Acre design came about after Dr. Nujoma visited Zimbabwe during an African Union summit held in 1997. He admired the architectural features of Zimbabwe's National Heroes Acre located in Harare and decided to create a similar monument for his country.
The ceremony included military honors with a 21-gun salute as his bronze coffin was lowered into place. Aircraft from the Namibian military performed a fly-past to mark the occasion. This moment symbolized the closing chapter for founding liberation leaders of southern Africa. These included former Presidents Robert Mugabe of Zimbabwe, Nelson Mandela of South Africa, Kenneth Kaunda of Zambia, Julius Nyerere of Tanzania, and Samora Machel of Mozambique.
Many prominent African leaders attended the burial ceremony to honor Dr. Nujoma. The African Union chairperson from Angola, President João Lourenço, participated alongside South African President Cyril Ramaphosa. Additional attendees included the Prime Ministers of Lesotho and Eswatini, plus numerous former presidents from across the region. Tanzania, Ghana, and Nigeria sent vice presidents to represent their nations at the memorial.
President Mnangagwa spoke at a service held Friday at Independence Stadium, where he reflected on personal interactions with Dr. Nujoma. He described the late leader as providing valuable wisdom through their various encounters. The Zimbabwean president noted he had opportunities to work directly with Dr. Nujoma and appreciated his knowledge of African and global matters. Dr. Nujoma strongly opposed sanctions placed on Zimbabwe by Western nations after Land Reform efforts.
Despite the intense heat, large crowds maintained a celebratory atmosphere at the Heroes Acre during the ceremonies. Namibian President Dr. Nangolo Mbumba addressed those gathered, describing Dr. Nujoma as a distinguished citizen and revolutionary icon. He expressed how Dr. Nujoma completed his mission with distinction by securing freedom and independence for Namibians. The current president thanked him for removing apartheid colonialism from Namibia.
The Zimbabwean president returned home yesterday evening after the ceremonies concluded. He arrived at Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport, where both Vice Presidents Constantino Chiwenga and Kembo Mohadi greeted him. Several government officials and military leaders also welcomed him back to Zimbabwe following his attendance at the significant regional event honoring the legacy of an influential southern African liberation hero.
Thousands gathered to pay respects to the liberation hero at a specially constructed mausoleum positioned at the highest point of the memorial grounds. The Heroes Acre design came about after Dr. Nujoma visited Zimbabwe during an African Union summit held in 1997. He admired the architectural features of Zimbabwe's National Heroes Acre located in Harare and decided to create a similar monument for his country.
The ceremony included military honors with a 21-gun salute as his bronze coffin was lowered into place. Aircraft from the Namibian military performed a fly-past to mark the occasion. This moment symbolized the closing chapter for founding liberation leaders of southern Africa. These included former Presidents Robert Mugabe of Zimbabwe, Nelson Mandela of South Africa, Kenneth Kaunda of Zambia, Julius Nyerere of Tanzania, and Samora Machel of Mozambique.
Many prominent African leaders attended the burial ceremony to honor Dr. Nujoma. The African Union chairperson from Angola, President João Lourenço, participated alongside South African President Cyril Ramaphosa. Additional attendees included the Prime Ministers of Lesotho and Eswatini, plus numerous former presidents from across the region. Tanzania, Ghana, and Nigeria sent vice presidents to represent their nations at the memorial.
President Mnangagwa spoke at a service held Friday at Independence Stadium, where he reflected on personal interactions with Dr. Nujoma. He described the late leader as providing valuable wisdom through their various encounters. The Zimbabwean president noted he had opportunities to work directly with Dr. Nujoma and appreciated his knowledge of African and global matters. Dr. Nujoma strongly opposed sanctions placed on Zimbabwe by Western nations after Land Reform efforts.
Despite the intense heat, large crowds maintained a celebratory atmosphere at the Heroes Acre during the ceremonies. Namibian President Dr. Nangolo Mbumba addressed those gathered, describing Dr. Nujoma as a distinguished citizen and revolutionary icon. He expressed how Dr. Nujoma completed his mission with distinction by securing freedom and independence for Namibians. The current president thanked him for removing apartheid colonialism from Namibia.
The Zimbabwean president returned home yesterday evening after the ceremonies concluded. He arrived at Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport, where both Vice Presidents Constantino Chiwenga and Kembo Mohadi greeted him. Several government officials and military leaders also welcomed him back to Zimbabwe following his attendance at the significant regional event honoring the legacy of an influential southern African liberation hero.
