Namibian Independence Icon Sam Nujoma Dies at 95

From humble cattle herder to revolutionary leader, Sam Nujoma, who shaped Namibia’s path to freedom and served as its first president, died Saturday night in Windhoek after a three-week hospitalization. He was 95-year-old.

The passing of this charismatic freedom fighter marks the end of an era in African liberation history. Nujoma’s remarkable journey began in rural poverty as the eldest of eleven children, eventually leading him to the forefront of Namibia’s independence struggle.

After a 1959 arrest for political protest, he fled to Tanzania, where he founded the South West African People’s Organization (SWAPO). His 30-year exile transformed him from a railway cleaner into a respected international figure. Starting with just two sub-machine guns and two pistols from Algeria, Nujoma led a persistent guerrilla campaign against South African rule.

Though never achieving outright military victory, his political acumen won crucial global support, ultimately forcing South Africa’s withdrawal. Upon returning home in 1989, Nujoma guided Namibia through its first democratic elections and served as president for 15 years.

Despite controversial statements about AIDS and occasional anti-Western rhetoric, he earned praise for fostering reconciliation and establishing democratic institutions. His pragmatic leadership style balanced relationships with both Eastern allies and Western powers, earning him comparisons to George Washington from U.S. President Bill Clinton. Nujoma’s death, announced by President Nangolo Mbumba, has deeply shaken the nation he helped create.

His legacy endures in Namibia’s stable democracy and his pioneering advocacy for women’s leadership in African politics.