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Namibia’s Founding President Sam Nujoma Dies at 95
Sam Nujoma, Namibia’s first president and a towering figure in the country’s struggle for independence, has died at the age of 95 in the capital, Windhoek. His passing was announced by President Nangolo Mbumba, who expressed “utmost sorrow and sadness.”
Nujoma, a key architect of Namibia’s liberation, co-founded the South West Africa People’s Organisation (Swapo) in the 1960s, leading the long fight against South African rule. When Namibia gained independence in 1990, he became the nation’s first president, serving until 2005.
He had been hospitalized for three weeks due to illness, from which he “could not recover,” President Mbumba said. “He inspired us to rise to our feet and to become masters of this vast land of our ancestors,” he added, calling Nujoma’s life “long and consequential.”
Tributes Pour In
King Charles III and Queen Camilla said they were “profoundly saddened” by his passing, with the King praising Nujoma’s “lifelong commitment to freedom and democracy.”
African leaders also paid tribute. The African Union Commission chairman Moussa Faki Mahamat hailed him as “the epitome of courage,” while South African President Cyril Ramaphosa described him as an “extraordinary freedom fighter” who helped end colonial rule across southern Africa. Kenya’s President William Ruto called him a “visionary leader dedicated to the liberation and development of his country.”
A visibly emotional President Mbumba visited Nujoma’s home to offer condolences to his family, including his 91-year-old wife, Kovambo Theopoldine Katjimune.
A Legacy of Unity and Progress
Nujoma is widely credited with fostering peace and stability after independence. His policy of national reconciliation encouraged Namibia’s white community to remain, ensuring their continued role in key sectors like farming. He also championed women’s and children’s rights, including enforcing child support obligations for fathers.
Although he stepped down as head of state in 2005, he remained Swapo’s leader until 2007, concluding nearly five decades at the party’s helm.
Namibia’s Vice-President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, set to be inaugurated as president in March, praised his “visionary leadership,” saying he laid “the foundation for our free, united nation.”
Details of his funeral are yet to be announced.
