Regional leaders from the Sadc gathered in Windhoek to honor Sam Nujoma, Namibia’s founding president, who received a state funeral. Dignitaries included presidents from South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Angola, highlighting the profound regional impact of Nujoma’s legacy in the fight for justice and independence. Nujoma’s death signifies a major loss for both Namibia and southern Africa as a whole.
On Saturday, leaders from the Southern African Development Community (Sadc) convened to honor Namibia’s founding president, Sam Nujoma, during his state funeral in Windhoek. A revered figure in Namibian history, he was interred at Heroes’ Acre, receiving tributes from dignitaries across the region. South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, along with Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa and Angolan President João Lourenço, were present, demonstrating solidarity in commemorating Nujoma’s legacy.
At the memorial service held at Independence Stadium prior to the funeral, President Mnangagwa, who chairs the Sadc, emphasized the profound impact of Nujoma’s passing on both Namibia and the broader region. He stated that “His selfless efforts and unwavering commitment to justice, equality and freedom for his people and all of mankind will remain etched in our collective memory for posterity.”
President Lourenço lauded Nujoma as an exemplary leader who fiercely advocated for the rights of his people. He characterized him as “an outstanding figure in African contemporary history, a hero of the Namibian people, and a symbol of the unbreakable fight for the liberation of southern Africa.”
Other attendees included dignitaries such as Lesotho’s Prime Minister Ntsokoane Matekane, Eswatini’s Prime Minister Russell Dlamini, and former leaders like Ian Khama of Botswana and Thabo Mbeki of South Africa. The funeral was also marked by the presence of vice presidents from Nigeria, Ghana, and Tanzania, alongside former Finnish President Tarja Halonen, amidst hundreds of grieving supporters.
Former First Lady of Zimbabwe, Grace Mugabe, shared her recollections of Nujoma’s enduring friendship with her late husband, Robert Mugabe. She remarked, “I knew president Nujoma even before he was president. When he was still fighting for the independence of the country, he used to visit my husband a lot. I would see them having conversations about what he wanted to see happening in Namibia.”
Nujoma notably stood as the last of the revolutionary leaders who guided their nations to independence in southern Africa. As the final surviving founding father of the Organisation of African Unity, established in 1963 as a precursor to the African Union, his legacy is indelibly etched into the region’s history.
The funeral of Sam Nujoma underscored his pivotal role as a leader in Namibia and southern Africa, with prominent figures from across the region gathering to pay their respects. His legacy as a champion of justice and liberation remains influential, capturing the admiration of leaders who recognized his contributions. Nujoma’s passing is felt deeply, marking a significant loss for both Namibia and the entire Southern African community.
Original Source: allafrica.com
