Online Reporter
Nduduzo Tshuma in Windhoek, Namibia
NAMIBIAN founding father Dr Sam Nujoma received a hero’s send-off yesterday, as thousands gathered at the National Heroes Acre to honour a liberation icon who dedicated his life to fighting for justice and equality in his country, Africa, and beyond.
SADC chairperson, President Mnangagwa, joined fellow Heads of State to bid farewell to the Pan-Africanist leader who liberated and led Namibia from independence in 1990 until 2005. Dr Nujoma passed away on 8 February.
He was laid to rest in a grave within a mausoleum at the highest point of Heroes’ Acre whose construction he initiated following his 1997 visit to Zimbabwe for an African Union (AU) Summit, where he was inspired by the architectural design of Zimbabwe’s own national shrine.
As his bronze coffin was lowered, he was accorded a 21-gun salute and a fly-past by the Namibian military, marking the end of an era of founding fathers in the region in the mould of former Zimbabwean President, Cde Robert Mugabe, former South African President Nelson Mandela, former Zambian President Kenneth Kaunda, Samora Machel of Mozambique and Julius Nyerere of Tanzania.
African Union Chairperson and Angolan President João Lourenço, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, Lesotho Prime Minister Ntsokoane Matekane, and his Eswatini counterpart Russel Dlamini attended the burial.
Also in attendance were former Presidents Thabo Mbeki of South Africa, Joaquim Chissano of Mozambique, Joseph Kabila of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ian Khama of Botswana, and Tarja Halonen of Finland. Tanzania, Ghana, and Nigeria were represented by their Vice-Presidents, while former first ladies Grace Mugabe of Zimbabwe and Ana Paula dos Santos of Angola also paid their last respects.
Sister parties from the region, including the ruling Zanu-PF as well as representatives from across the continent and beyond were present. Addressing a memorial service for the late Dr Nujoma at the Independence Stadium on Friday, President Mnangagwa reflected on his personal encounters with the statesman, describing him as a fountain of wisdom.
“I was personally privileged to work alongside the late statesman and African icon, Dr Nujoma. He was a wealth of wisdom. His ideological depth and understanding of a wide array of African and global issues were both fascinating and inspirational,” said President Mnangagwa.
Dr Nujoma was one of the most vocal opponents of the illegal sanctions imposed on Zimbabwe by Western countries following the country’s land reform programme aimed at addressing colonial injustices.
“His humility and unassuming demeanour, compassion, and steadfastness were qualities that inspired all who knew him,” added President Mnangagwa.
“He taught us that leadership is not merely about power but about service to the people, with integrity, honour, sacrifice, and humility.”
The sweltering heat did not deter the celebratory mood at the heroes’ acre as crowds paid their last tribute to Dr Nujoma.
Namibian President Dr Nangolo Mbumba described Dr Nujoma as the most distinguished son of the soil, a giant among leaders, and a revolutionary icon.
“Although our hearts remain laden with grief, we take solace in the fact that President Sam Nujoma, who will now rest among his fellow illustrious heroes and heroines, has completed his mission with distinction — fulfilling his destiny and leaving behind the most precious gift of freedom and independence for the people of Namibia,” he said.
Dr Mbumba saluted the late Dr Nujoma for a life well lived in service to Namibia, the SADC region, and Africa. “We fought under your command and we won the liberation struggle, forever removing apartheid colonialism from the face of Namibia. Indeed, we are, in your own words, ‘now the masters of our own destiny,’” said Dr Mbumba.
“May your legacy of dedication and hard work become a source of strength for the entire Nujoma family, as well as the entire Namibian nation, as we continue to uphold your command to maintain unity of purpose and fulfil your mission of improving the quality of life for the people of Namibia to the level of their counterparts in the developed world.”
Meanwhile, the President, who left the country on Friday, returned home yesterday.
Bunjiwe Mkwananzi
Colletta Dube