DAR ES SALAAM: PRESIDENT Samia Suluhu Hassan has expressed profound sorrow at the passing of Dr Sam Nujoma, the founding President of Namibia and a renowned Pan-African icon.
In a heartfelt tribute, the Head of State extended her condolences to the people of Namibia, underlining Dr Nujoma’s enduring friendship with Tanzania and his monumental role in the African liberation struggle.
President Samia praised the late Dr Nujoma for his instrumental leadership in Namibia’s hard-won independence and his lasting impact on the broader African freedom movement.
“A freedom fighter, a Pan-Africanist and a dear friend of Tanzania, where he once lived during the struggle for Namibia’s independence, Dr Nujoma led a life of service that shaped not only his country’s destiny but also inspired generations to stand up for the ideals of freedom, equality and justice,” President Samia wrote on her X (formerly Twitter) handle.
Dr Samia also conveyed her deepest condolences to Namibian President Dr Nangolo Mbumba, the people of Namibia, the Founding First Lady of Namibia, Kovambo Nujoma, Dr Nujoma’s children, his entire family, friends and comrades in the South West Africa People’s Organisation (SWAPO). During an interview with ‘Daily News’, yesterday veteran politician and former cabinet minister Professor Mark Mwandosya recollected Tanzania’s pivotal role in Namibia’s liberation struggle.
He said that, during the liberation movement, Sam Nujoma sought refuge in Tanzania, where he received significant support, particularly from the leadership of Mwalimu Julius Nyerere. Prof Mwandosya noted that Tanzania was one of the first nations to recognise SWAPO as a legitimate liberation party, offering refuge and military training to its fighters.
Prof Mwandosya further said that Dr Nujoma was treated as a Tanzanian, granted a Tanzanian passport that allowed him to travel freely. He described the late Nujoma as a cheerful, meticulous and brave leader.
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Political analyst and historian Mr Fredrick Pundo also eulogised the late Nujoma’s legacy, noting that he was a determined freedom fighter who led Namibia to independence from apartheid South Africa in 1990 and served as the country’s president for 15 years.
Mr Pundo pointed out that Tanzania provided both moral and material support to the liberation movement, establishing training camps in locations such as Bagamoyo (Coast Region), Mazimbu (Morogoro) and Nachingwea (Lindi).
He also noted that Nujoma’s struggle continued relentlessly, culminating in Namibia’s independence in 1990, where he became the founding father of the nation and led it until 2005.
Mr Pundo concluded that Nujoma’s legacy in the African liberation struggle will forever be remembered for his immense contributions to Namibia’s freedom and the solidarity he fostered with other African nations. As a mark of respect for the historical friendship between Tanzania and Namibia, one of Dar es Salaam’s major roads was named after Sam Nujoma.
Dr Nujoma’s death was announced yesterday by current Namibian President Dr Nangolo Mbumba. President Mbumba revealed that Dr Nujoma passed away on Saturday night after being hospitalised in Windhoek, the capital of Namibia.
He was 95 years old. In a statement, President Mbumba described Nujoma as a “fiery, white-bearded freedom fighter” who led Namibia to independence from apartheid South Africa in 1990 and served as its first president for 15 years, becoming known as the father of the nation.
“Our Founding Father lived a long and consequential life, during which he exceptionally served the people of his beloved country. Our Founding Father heroically led the Namibian people during the darkest hours of our liberation struggle until the attainment of freedom and independence on March 21, 1990,” part of the statement read.
President Mbumba added that Dr Nujoma not only led Namibia to freedom but also inspired the nation to rise and build a country that stands tall and proud among the nations of the world.
