by Nahlah Abdur-Rahman
February 9, 2025
Nujoma was the chief of Namibia’s struggle for independence from apartheid South Africa.
Sam Nujoma, the activist who led Namibia to independence and have become its first president, has died at age 95.
Namibia’s present president, Nangolo Mbumba, introduced Nujoma’s dying on Feb. 9. Mbumba said that Nujoma died the evening prior following his hospitalization within the nation’s capital metropolis of Windhoek.
In keeping with NPR, the liberty fighter was deemed the “father of the nation” for his efforts in Namibia’s struggle to separate from apartheid South Africa. Upon gaining independence in 1990, Namibia elected Nujoma as its first president, a place he held for 15 years. Now, the liberty fighter is remembered for his esteemed place within the nation’s historical past.
He served three phrases as the primary President of Namibia, from 1990 to 2005.
“The foundations of the Republic of Namibia have been shaken,” shared Mbumba. “Over the previous three weeks, the Founding President of the Republic of Namibia and Founding Father of the Namibian Nation was hospitalized for medical therapy and medical commentary as a result of unwell well being… Sadly, this time, essentially the most gallant son of our land couldn’t recuperate from his sickness.”
Amongst many different African leaders who pioneered the break from colonial rule, Nujoma has remained a revered determine for serving to Namibia change into a democracy. Identified for his white beard, Nujoma spent many years making an attempt to achieve independence for his house nation. Previous to his presidential appointment, Nujoma spent virtually 30 years in exile for main the independence motion within the nation.
Whereas in exile, Nujoma aided within the institution of the South West African Folks’s Group, turning into its president in 1960. Deemed SWAPO, the political get together launched a guerilla marketing campaign whereas underneath his management to fight South Africa’s continued management over the nation. SWAPO has since remained in energy in Namibia.
Whereas Nujoma championed national-healing and reconciliation inside its countrymen, the person many branded a Marxist additionally gained help from North Korea, Cuba, Russia, and China for his liberation motion. Regardless of this, and his fierce push in opposition to the West, Nujoma additionally constructed relations with Western democratic powers. He grew to become the primary African chief to remain on the White Home, hosted by former President Invoice Clinton. Clinton described him because the “George Washington” of Namibia and a “real hero” for world democracy.
Nujoma’s legacy, whereas esteemed, has confronted its personal criticisms as properly. He known as AIDS a “man-made organic weapon” whereas additionally calling homosexuality a “overseas and corrupt ideology.” Regardless of his controversial views, he nonetheless formed the democratic construction of Namibia by way of its structure and relations with different nations.
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