Online Reporter
Nduduzo Tshuma in Windhoek, Namibia
SADC Chairperson, President Mnangagwa yesterday said African nations, in honour of the legacy bequeathed by their founding fathers, have a responsibility to deepen collaboration and synergies for a brighter and more prosperous future, especially for young people.
Speaking at a memorial service for Namibia’s founding father and liberation icon, Dr Sam Nujoma, at the Independence Stadium here, President Mnangagwa said the nationalist understood that true liberation extends beyond mere political independence to encompass social equity and sustainable development.
Dr Nujoma, who led Namibia from independence in 1990 to 2005, passed away at the age of 95 in a Windhoek hospital on February 8.
President Mnangagwa is seen off by Vice Presidents Dr Constantino Chiwenga (left) and Kembo Mohadi at Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport in Harare yesterday before departing for Namibia for the burial of that country’s founding President, Dr Sam Nujoma, today. Also present are Ministers Charles Tavengwa, Oppah Muchinguri-Kashiri and Dr Jenfan Muswere. — Picture: Believe Nyakudjara
Speaker after speaker praised Dr Nujoma for his fearless fight to dismantle colonialism, not only in his own country, but in other African nations as well.
The President said throughout his tenure, Dr Nujoma championed policies that promoted social justice, economic development and regional cooperation.
“As we reflect on his legacy and continue our pursuit to realise the SADC Vision 2050 and the AU Agenda 2063, let us be emboldened by his words of recollection, and I quote, ‘When the founding fathers were calling for African unity, they were calling for economic emancipation, cooperation, and integration of the entire African continent. They fully understood that political freedom would remain insufficient and meaningless unless it was accompanied by genuine economic independence.’
“We must continue to work together as nations within SADC and the larger African continent to uphold the values he and many others fought hard to entrench in the psyche of our peoples,” said the President.
In mourning Dr Nujoma, President Mnangagwa said Africa must transform its sorrow into purposeful action.
“The late Dr Nujoma’s vision must live on through our collective efforts towards sustainable peace and prosperity in Southern Africa, the African continent as a whole, and the Global South,” said the President.
“In honour of the legacy bequeathed to us by our founding fathers, including the late Cde Nujoma, we all have the responsibility to deepen collaboration and synergies among Member States for a brighter and more prosperous future, especially for our young people,” said President Mnangagwa.
“I exhort us, therefore, to continue the fight for justice, equality, and a peaceful region. This is the fight that our late African icon and founding father, Dr Sam Nujoma, so passionately led throughout his life — a life well lived in service of his people and all of us.”
Describing the death of Dr Nujoma as a huge loss to Africa and beyond, President Mnangagwa said the liberation icon’s selfless efforts and unwavering commitment to justice, equality, and freedom for his people and all of humanity would remain etched “in our collective memory for posterity.”
“In the late Dr Nujoma, we had more than just a political figure, he was a larger-than-life revolutionary icon and a shining beacon of hope for the peoples of Africa. His astute, exemplary, and consistent leadership during our struggles for independence laid critical building blocks for the democratic culture that not only Namibia but the whole of SADC cherishes so dearly to this day,” he said.
“As the leader of SWAPO, he inspired countless individuals to rise against colonial oppression and to fight for their birth right, freedom, independence, and dignity.
“His vision for a truly independent and liberated African people transcended borders, uniting people from across Southern Africa.”
President Mnangagwa is welcomed by Namibia’s President-elect Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah and Chief Mourner, Namibian President Nangolo Mbumba(centre) at the funeral of Namibia’s founding President Dr Sam Nujoma, at Independence Stadium in Windhoek, Namibia, yesterday. — Picture: Presidential Photographer Tawanda Mudimu
African Union Chairperson and Angolan President João Lourenço said that the works of Dr Nujoma would be recorded in the annals of history and serve as a beacon for future generations.
Namibia’s President and chief mourner, Dr Nangolo Mbumba, noted that while the month of February is associated with purity and love, Namibia had endured the pain of losing its third President, Hage Geingob, last year and Dr Nujoma this year.
“His indomitable revolutionary spirit will always be with us. We do not bid him farewell, but we mourn and celebrate his life, history, and achievements,” he said.
Namibia’s Vice President and President-elect, Dr Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, emphasised the importance of staying true to the ideals of Namibia’s liberation, a cause to which Dr Nujoma dedicated his life.
Dr Nujoma’s successor and Namibia’s second President, Dr Hifikepunye Pohamba, said he was privileged to have worked closely with the liberation icon for 63 years, both in exile and after independence.
“Dr Nujoma held the people together, and indeed history was achieved,Namibia was free,” he said.
Cde Nujoma’s eldest child, Utoni Nujoma, who also serves as Namibia’s Minister of Labour, Industrial Relations, and Employment Creation, described his father’s legacy as one of unity, not just within Namibia but across the African continent.
Mourners gather at Independence Stadium to mourn Namibia’s founding President Dr Sam Nujoma in Windhoek, Namibia, yesterday. — Picture: Presidential Photographer Tawanda Mudimu
Leader of the official opposition in the Namibian Parliament Mr McHenry Venaani praised Dr Nujoma’s unparalleled leadership, describing him as “not just a leader but a master tactician in the field.”
Former Mozambican President Joaquim Chissano, former DRC President Joseph Kabila, former First Lady Grace Mugabe and dignitaries from various countries including Cuba, the Netherlands and the European Union among others attended the memorial service.
Dr Nujoma’s body lay in state at the Independence Stadium ahead of his burial at Namibia’s National Heroes’ Acre today.
Peter Tanyanyiwa
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