First President of Namibia, Sam Nujoma dies at 95

Sam Nujoma, the first president of Namibia and a key figure in the country’s struggle for independence from apartheid South Africa, passed away on February 8, 2025, at the age of 95. He had been hospitalized in Windhoek for three weeks due to an illness.

Sam Nujoma was a strong force in the Namibian independence struggle, serving as the leader of the national liberation movement and campaigning for Namibia’s political independence from South African rule. He was a founding member and the first president of the South West Africa People’s Organisation (SWAPO) in 1960, which was previously known as the Ovambo People’s Organisation (OPO) before 1960. Nujoma formed the People’s Liberation Army of Namibia (PLAN) in 1962 and launched a guerrilla war against the apartheid government of South Africa in August 1966 at Omugulugwombashe.

Sam Nujoma played a crucial role in the Namibian independence struggle, serving as the leader of the national liberation movement and campaigning for Namibia’s political independence from South African rule. He was the first president and a founding member of the South West Africa People’s Organisation (SWAPO) in 1960, which was previously known as the Ovambo People’s Organisation (OPO) before 1960 and the chairman of the Swapo Military Council, which was the biggest decision-making body of PLAN. Nujoma established the People’s Liberation Army of Namibia (PLAN) in 1962 and launched a guerrilla war against the apartheid government of South Africa in August 1966 at Omugulugwombashe after the United Nations withdrew the right for South Africa to govern the territory.

He took the combat name Shafiishuna, meaning “lightning”, during the liberation struggle, and was also the commander-in-chief and leader of the People’s Liberation Army of Namibia (PLAN) . Nujoma’s leadership and vision were instrumental in Namibia’s lengthy battle for independence from South Africa, which lasted 24 years. He is widely credited for ensuring peace and stability after independence from South Africa in 1990, and his policy of national reconciliation encouraged the country’s white community to remain, and they still play a major role in farming and other sectors of the economy. Nujoma’s role in the Namibian independence struggle has been praised by many, including Namibian and ruling SWAPO party President, who said Nujoma “provided maximum leadership to our nation and spared no effort to motivate each and every Namibian to build a country that would stand tall and proud among the nations of the world”

Tributes to Sam Nujoma have been paid by several individuals and organizations, including South Africa’s President Cyril Ramaphosa, who credited Nujoma as an inspiration for his own country’s struggle against white minority rule.

 The African National Congress (ANC) has also mourned the passing of Nujoma, with ANC National spokesperson, Mahlengi Bhengu-Motsiri, calling for his legacy to push for the liberation of all Africans on the continent.

 Additionally, ActionSA leader Herman Mashaba has remembered Nujoma as an unshakeable force in African history, and the Pan Africanists Congress of Azania (PAC) has sent its condolences to the family of Nujoma and the people of Namibia.

Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, the former Vice President of Ghana, has paid tribute to Nujoma, describing him as a towering figure in Africa’s fight for liberation and an unwavering champion of democracy.

Namibia’s President Nangolo Mbumba and President-elect Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah have also paid tribute to Nujoma’s visionary leadership and dedication to liberation and nation-building.

It is incredibly sad for Africans to mourn the passing of one its founding leaders and freedom fighters. Our hearts go out to his family and the entire Namibia natin. He took the combat name Shafiishuna, meaning “lightning”, during the liberation struggle, and becamethe commander-in-chief of the People’s Liberation Army of Namibia (PLAN). He was also the chairman of the Military Council of Swapo, which was the biggest decision-making body of PLAN. Nujoma’s leadership and vision were instrumental in Namibia’s lengthy battle for independence from South Africa, which lasted 24 years.

He is widely credited for ensuring peace and stability after independence from South Africa in 1990, and his policy of national reconciliation encouraged the country’s white community to remain, and they still play a major role in farming and other sectors of the economy. Nujoma’s role in the Namibian independence struggle has been praised by many, including Namibian and ruling SWAPO party President, who said Nujoma “provided maximum leadership to our nation and spared no effort to motivate each and every Namibian to build a country that would stand tall and proud among the nations of the world”

Tributes to Sam Nujoma have been paid by several individuals and organizations, including South Africa’s President Cyril Ramaphosa, who credited Nujoma as an inspiration for his own country’s struggle against white minority rule.

 The African National Congress (ANC) has also mourned the passing of Nujoma, with ANC National spokesperson, Mahlengi Bhengu-Motsiri, calling for his legacy to push for the liberation of all Africans on the continent.

 Additionally, ActionSA leader Herman Mashaba has remembered Nujoma as an unshakeable force in African history, and the Pan Africanists Congress of Azania (PAC) has sent its condolences to the family of Nujoma and the people of Namibia.

Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, the former Vice President of Ghana, has paid tribute to Nujoma, describing him as a towering figure in Africa’s fight for liberation and an unwavering champion of democracy.

Namibia’s President Nangolo Mbumba and President-elect Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah have also paid tribute to Nujoma’s visionary leadership and dedication to liberation and nation-building.

It is incredibly sad for Africans to mourn the passing of one its founding leaders and freedom fighters. Our hearts go out to his family and the entire Namibia nation.