Namibia bids farewell to founding father Sam Nujoma

Namibia laid its founding father Sam Nujoma to rest Saturday at Heroes’ Acre, marking what President Nangolo Mbumba called “the end of an era” for both the nation and continent. The revered independence leader, who died last month at 95, was eulogized as “a giant among leaders” who bestowed “the most precious gift of freedom” upon his people.

Thousands gathered before dawn at the national memorial grounds outside Windhoek, waving flags and singing liberation anthems including the poignant “Sam Ouli Peni?” (Sam, Where are you?) The state funeral drew regional dignitaries including the presidents of Angola, South Africa, and Zimbabwe, underscoring Nujoma’s continental significance.

“We are not only mourning today, we are celebrating an extraordinary leader who has contributed significantly to our country’s independence,” reflected mourner Given Shiyukifein as Nujoma’s flag-draped coffin arrived by military gun carriage from the capital.

Born to peasant farmers, Nujoma developed his political consciousness while working on railways in the late 1940s. He subsequently founded the South West Africa People’s Organization (Swapo) in the 1960s and spearheaded the resistance against South Africa’s apartheid rule, which had extended its racist policies to then-South West Africa.

As Namibia’s first president—serving 15 years until 2005—Nujoma established a legacy of stability through national reconciliation. His policies encouraged the white community’s continued participation in agriculture and commerce while championing progressive social measures, including groundbreaking legislation requiring financial support for children born outside marriage.

Nujoma’s passing represents the final chapter for a generation of African liberation leaders who transformed colonial territories into independent nations, leaving an indelible mark on the continent’s political landscape.