UPDATE

16:34 He was seen off at the Hosea Kutako International Airport by Zimbabwe’s Ambassador to Namibia Melody Chaurura

16:34 President Mnangagwa has left Namibia for Zimbabwe after attending the memorial service and burial of the country’s founding father Dr Sam Nujoma in Windhoek

UPDATE

14:00 The singing of the Namibian National Anthem marks the end of the burial

13:42: Namibian Vice President and President-elect Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah is next to lay the wreath

 13:39 Next up is South African President Cyril Ramaphosa

13:37 Sadc chairperson, President Mnangagwa follows in laying wreaths on the grave

13:35 He is followed by the Angolan President who is also AU chairperson

13:30 Heads of State led by President Mbumba lay wreaths on the grave of Dr Nujoma

UPDATE

13:22 More than 250 foreign journalists were accredited to cover Dr Nujoma’s burial confirming his status as a liberation giant

13:20 Emotions run high as members of the ruling SWAPO break into revolutionary songs

13:19 He is being honoured by a 21 gun salute as military jets fly past as a final send off

13:17 He is being buried in a Mausoleum on the top most end of the heroes acre

13:14 Pall bearers now preparing to lower Dr Nujoma’s body into his grave

UPDATE

12:09 Heads of State and dignitaries have also made it to the burial site

UPDATE

11:42 The representative and members of the local clergy will accompany Dr Nujoma’s body to the burial site

11:41 Dr Nujoma’s body is now being taken to the burial site. It is revealed that the Pope has sent a representative to attend the burial

11:41 Dr Nujoma’s body is now being

UPDATE

11:38 Dr Mbumba ends his speech

11:38 He says the entire State of Namibia stands together with Dr Nujoma’s family in this difficult time

11:30 You were the ultimate statesman and Commander in Chief. Namibia is proud to call you the son of the Namibia soil

11:29 We fought under your command and removed the face of apartheid colonialism forever

UPDATE

11:28 He says those who served under Dr Nujoma before and after the liberation was remembering how he confidently led from the front

11:28 He salutes Dr Nujoma for his service to Namibia before and after the struggle for liberation

11:27 Dr Nujoma has completed his mission with distinction Namibia with the gift of freedom

11:26 We have gathered in these grounds to bury a distinguished son of Namibia

11:22 Dr Mbumba takes to the podium to give his address

 

UPDATE

10:41 Dr Nujoma’s casket arrives at the shrine accompanied by Dr Mbumba

10:27 We now await the arrival of Namibian President Mbumba who will be accompanying Dr Nujoma’s casket

10:22 South African President Cyril Ramaphosa arrives at the heroes acre

UPDATE

09:54 President Mnangagwa arrives for burial of Dr Nujoma

SADC Chairperson and Zimbabwe President Mnangagwa, has arrived at Namibian National Heroes’ Acre to attend the burial of Namibia’s founding father, Dr Sam Nujoma. The solemn event is being held at the national shrine, a facility inspired by Zimbabwe’s own revered Heroes’ Acre, which honours the nation’s liberation heroes.

President Mnangagwa joins other leaders from across the region to pay tribute to Dr. Nujoma, a towering Pan-African figure who played a pivotal role in Namibia’s independence. The ceremony reflects the profound respect and solidarity shared among African nations for their liberation icons.

UPDATE

09:44  Dignitaries arrive ahead of Dr Nujoma burial

 VARIOUS dignitaries have started arriving at the Namibian National Heroes Acre ahead of the burial of Dr Nujoma.

Among those that have since arrived are Malawi Vice President Michael Usi, former South African President Thabo Mbeki and former Zimbabwean First Lady Grace Mugabe.

Zimbabwe Foreign Affairs Minister Professor Amon Murwira and Zimbabwe’s Ambassador to Namibia Melody Chaurura have also arrived at the shrine.

Dr Nujoma’s widow Mrs Kuvomba Nujoma and members of the family have since arrived at the Acre.

Others who have also arrived are; Former Botswana President Ian Khama, Vice President of Ghana, Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang, Cuban Communiste Paryh representative Hernandez arrives, Kenyan Deputy President Kithure Kindiki, Former Mozambican President Joaquim Chissano and former DRC President Joseph Kabila

UPDATE

09:26 Sadc chairperson, President Mnangagwa arrives at the heroes acre. A familiar facility inspired the Zimbabwean shrine

09:24 Former DRC President Joseph Kabila arrives

09:24 Kenyan Deputy President Kithure Kindiki arrives

09:24 Former Mozambican President Joaquim Chissano arrives

09:24 Cuban Communist Party representative Hernandez arrives

09:24 Vice President of Ghana  Naana Opoku-Agyemang arrives

UPDATE

09:23 Former Botswana President Ian Khama also arrives

09:22  Dr Nujoma’s widow, Mrs Kuvomba Nujoma and members of the family arrive at the Acre

09:21   Foreign Affairs Minister Professor Amon Murwira and Zimbabwe’s Ambassador to Namibia Melody Chaurura also arrive at the shrine

09: 20  Dignitaries have started arriving here, including Malawi Vice President, former South African President Thabo Mbeki, former Zimbabwean First Lady Grace Mugabe and representatives of different countries.

08:52  The construction of the Namibian National Heroes Acre was initiated by Dr Nujoma, after he visited the Zimbabwean national shrine on the sidelines of an African Union summit in Harare in 1997.

UPDATE

Thousands gather to honour Namibia’s Founding Father Dr Sam Nujoma

Nduduzo Tshuma in Windhoek, Namibia

Pictures and Videos by Tawanda Mudimu 

MULTITUDES of people are making their way to Namibia’s National Heroes’ Acre for the burial of the country’s founding father, Dr Sam Nujoma.
Dr Nujoma, who led Namibia from independence in 1990 until 2005, passed away in a Windhoek hospital on 8 February.
SADC chairperson, President Mnangagwa, will join fellow Heads of State at the burial of Dr Nujoma, the last surviving founding father in the region.
Speaking at a memorial service for the liberation icon at Independence Stadium yesterday, President Mnangagwa described Dr Nujoma’s death as a huge loss to Africa and beyond. He 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,” said the President.
“As the leader of SWAPO, he inspired countless individuals to rise against colonial oppression and to fight for their birthright—freedom, independence, and dignity. His vision for a truly independent and liberated African people transcended borders, uniting people from across Southern Africa.”

Chronicle Assistant Editor Nduduzo Tshuma is in Namibia and will give us live updates of the event while Presidential Photographer Tawanda Mudimu will provide pictures and videos.