In the serene capital of Namibia, Windhoek, a solemn atmosphere enveloped the Heroes Acre cemetery as the nation bid farewell to its founding president, Sam Nujoma. A figurehead in Namibia’s struggle for independence, Nujoma was laid to rest on Saturday after a state funeral that saw African leaders and dignitaries from various countries gathering to honor his storied legacy.
From the early hours of the morning, mourners swarmed the area, eager to pay their final respects to the man revered as their “founding father.” Nujoma, an indomitable anti-apartheid activist, served as Namibia’s president from 1990 until 2005, steering the newly independent country through its formative years. He passed away on February 8, at the age of 95, following a three-week hospitalization in Windhoek. His widow, Theopoldine Nujoma, along with their children and numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren, were present to honor his memory.
At a packed football stadium teeming with mourners, Nujoma’s eldest son, Utoni Nujoma, reflected on his father’s influence, both within the family and throughout the nation. “Though our hearts are heavy with grief, we celebrate his long and fulfilling life, a life that was entirely dedicated to liberating our homeland and the African continent,” Utoni remarked, acknowledging Nujoma as a repository of strength and wisdom.
Namibia observed a 21-day mourning period in Nujoma’s honor, a solemn time marked by flags at half-mast. As a nation, they offered a heartfelt farewell, with his body making stops in several regions, including his childhood home in Etunda, Okahao, allowing countless Namibians the chance to say goodbye.
The tribute culminated with a ceremonial 21-gun salute and a flypast by the Namibian Air Force as his casket, draped with the Namibian flag and bearing the inscription ‘Founding president and Father of the Namibian nation,’ was lowered into the Heroes Acre mausoleum. This sacred site stands as a testament to those Namibians whose contributions have shaped the nation’s hard-won freedom.
Namibia’s current President, Nangolo Mbumba, paid homage to Nujoma, calling him an extraordinary individual whose life’s journey—from humble beginnings in Etunda to halls of international influence—was driven by purpose and destiny. Mbumba questioned, “Who else but an extraordinary human being could rise from a dusty village to lead a country to independence and interact with global icons of the 20th century?”
The funeral saw a convergence of present and former African leaders, such as South Africa’s Thabo Mbeki and Cyril Ramaphosa, Congo’s Joseph Kabila, Zimbabwe’s Emmerson Mnangagwa, and several others from across the continent. They commemorated Nujoma as an iconic figure in Africa and a staunch opponent of colonial rule.
Nujoma returned from nearly three decades of exile to guide Namibia’s liberation movement, SWAPO, to victory in the United Nations-supervised elections of 1989. His leadership helped usher Namibia into an era of independence and racial unity. Over his lifetime, Nujoma received numerous accolades for his bravery and dedication to creating a nonracial society in Namibia.
He leaves behind a legacy that extends through his large family, including three siblings, a devoted wife, two sons, 24 grandchildren, and 11 great-grandchildren, each carrying forward the principles and values he championed.
