Online Reporter
Richard Muponde-Zimpapers Politics Hub
NAMIBIA’S founding President, Dr Sam Nujoma, was buried on Saturday, a day after leaders from Africa and beyond attended the continental icon’s memorial service.
Dr Nujoma died on February 8 in a Windhoek hospital.
He was 95.
Dr Nujoma was a revolutionary leader and anti-apartheid activist, serving from 1990 to 2005.
His life was characterised by resilience, vision and an unwavering commitment to the liberation of his people and broader African continent.
Additionally, he was an unwavering friend of Zimbabwe, who stood by the country when it was persecuted by its former coloniser Britain, especially after the Fast-Track Land Reform Programme at the turn of the millennium.
Zimbabwe was punished for empowering over 360 000 households who were living in reserves because of the skewed land tenure system, which favoured about 4 500 white commercial farmers.
Under Prime Minister Tony Blair of the Labour Party, Britain reneged on its promise to pay compensation to white commercial farmers.
This ultimately led to frosty relations between Harare and London, which culminated in the imposition of sanctions by the latter.
On its part, the country decided to withdraw from the Commonwealth, a grouping of former British colonies.
After the fallout with its former colony, Britain actively sought to effect regime change in Zimbabwe and even approached some SADC) countries to use their airspace and bases to unseat former President Mugabe.
However, this plot was foiled by regional leaders, including Dr Nujoma.
In his memoir, “A Journey: My Political Life”, Blair remarks: “People often used to say to me: ‘If you got rid of the gangsters in Sierra Leone, Milosevic, the Taliban and Saddam, why can’t you get rid of Mugabe?’ The answer is: I would have loved to, but it wasn’t practical (since in his case, and for reasons I never quite understood, the surrounding African nations maintained a lingering support for him and would have opposed any action strenuously).”
In an interview with Zimpapers some years ago in Namibia, Cde Nujoma discussed Blair’s planned invasion of Zimbabwe.
He reasoned that “any attack on Zimbabwe is an attack on the entire SADC region and will warrant a military response from the bloc”.
The iconic leader also fired a salvo at Blair at the Johannesburg Earth Summit in 2001 over the continued imposition of sanctions on Zimbabwe.
“Honourable Tony Blair is here. This summit must make money available, especially the European Union which has imposed sanctions against Mugabe, and they have to be lifted immediately. Otherwise, it’s useless to come here and tell us all things that are not right,” he said.
In what insiders say was a premeditated strategy, Dr Nujoma spoke just before former President Mugabe.
In his subsequent address, President Mugabe upped the tempo with the famous declaration: “Blair, keep your England and I will keep my Zimbabwe.”
“We don’t mind having and bearing sanctions banning us from Europe. We are not Europeans. We have not asked for any inch of Europe or any square inch of that territory. So, Blair, keep your England and let me keep my Zimbabwe . . . ,” former President Mugabe said then.
But Dr Nujoma’s influence extended far beyond Namibia, as he was a staunch advocate of African unity and a key figure in SADC.
His leadership during the liberation struggles of the region earned him the respect of his peers, including former President Mugabe, President Mnangagwa and other anti-colonial leaders.
His unwavering support for Zimbabwe during the Land Reform Programme and his refusal to allow Namibia to be used as a launchpad for foreign aggression against Zimbabwe exemplified his commitment to African solidarity.
At the African Union and other international fora, Dr Nujoma consistently called for the removal of sanctions against Zimbabwe and other African nations, highlighting the need for justice and self-determination.
His fiery speeches remain etched in the annals of African diplomacy.
Dr Nujoma’s life offers invaluable lessons for the youth of Africa, who are the custodians of the continent’s future.
His unwavering dedication to justice, his courage in the face of adversity and his vision for a free and united Africa are qualities that young people can emulate.
Dr Nujoma demonstrated that leadership is not about personal gain but serving the people and fighting for their rights.
The youth can draw inspiration from his resilience and his ability to unite diverse groups under a common cause.
In an era where Africa faces challenges such as unemployment, inequality and external interference, Dr Nujoma’s legacy reminds young leaders to prioritise the needs of their communities and to work tirelessly for the betterment of their nations.
Born on May 12, 1929, in Ongandjera, Namibia, Cde Nujoma grew up witnessing the injustices of colonial rule under apartheid South Africa. This fuelled his determination to fight for freedom.
In 1960, he founded the South West Africa People’s Organisation (SWAPO), which became the leading force in Namibia’s liberation struggle.
Under his leadership, SWAPO waged a decades-long insurgency against South African control, culminating in Namibia’s independence in 1990.
Peter Tanyanyiwa