Regional Leaders Commemorate the Legacy of Sam Nujoma at Funeral

Sam Nujoma, Namibia’s founding president, was laid to rest with a hero’s funeral in Windhoek, attended by leaders from the Southern African Development Community. Notable figures included South Africa’s Cyril Ramaphosa and Zimbabwe’s Emmerson Mnangagwa, who expressed profound sorrow over Nujoma’s passing. His legacy as a champion for justice and liberation was widely commemorated, underscoring his significant role in both Namibian and southern African history.

Leaders from across the Southern African Development Community (Sadc) convened to honor the late Sam Nujoma, Namibia’s founding president, who was interred in Windhoek with distinctions befitting a national hero. His funeral took place at Heroes’ Acre on Saturday, marking a significant event in the region’s history.

Notable attendees included South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa, and Angolan President João Lourenço, all of whom had previously participated in a state memorial at Independence Stadium. The gathering underscored Nujoma’s immense impact on Namibian independence and regional politics.

During the memorial, President Mnangagwa, who serves as the chairperson of Sadc, articulated the profound loss Nujoma’s passing represents for both Namibia and the broader region. “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,” he stated.

President Lourenço commended Nujoma as a leader who advocated vigorously for the rights of his people, describing 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.”

Additional attendees at the funeral included leaders such as Lesotho Prime Minister Ntsokoane Matekane, Eswatini Prime Minister Russell Dlamini, former Botswana President Ian Khama, and others from the region. The presence of former leaders from various African countries highlighted Nujoma’s extensive influence across the continent.

Former First Lady of Zimbabwe, Grace Mugabe, recounted her long-standing relationship with Nujoma, stating, “I knew president Nujoma even before he was president… I would see them having conversations about what he wanted to see happening in Namibia.” Her reflections emphasized the strong ties forged during their shared struggle for independence.

Nujoma was revered as the last remaining revolutionary leader who played a pivotal role in the independence of southern Africa. He also stood as the last surviving founding father of the Organisation of African Unity, which preceded the African Union, marking an important chapter in African history.

The farewell of Sam Nujoma brought together a multitude of regional leaders to honor his legacy as Namibia’s founding president. His contributions to independence and regional unity were widely acknowledged, with leaders reflecting on his lasting impact on justice and freedom. Nujoma’s legacy as a revolutionary leader remains vital to the history of southern Africa, as he was a significant figure in the fight for liberation and progress on the continent.

Original Source: allafrica.com