Sam Nujoma, Namibia’s founding president, has died at the age of 95. He passed away on Saturday in Windhoek, the nation’s capital, after spending three weeks in hospital battling declining health.
President Nangolo Mbumba confirmed Nujoma’s passing: “Our founding father lived a long and consequential life during which he exceptionally served the people of his beloved country.”
Born on May 12, 1929, in Etunda village, Sam Shafiishuna Nujoma came from humble beginnings. He grew up as the son of subsistence farmers, helping to herd livestock in his youth.
After moving to Walvis Bay in 1946, he worked in a store before relocating to Windhoek, where he joined South African Railways. During this time, Nujoma took night classes to complete his education.
He entered full-time politics in 1957, becoming a key figure in the fight for Namibian independence. In 1960, Nujoma co-founded the South West Africa People’s Organization (Swapo), a party dedicated to ending South Africa’s occupation of Namibia.
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In 1966, Swapo started an armed struggle, and Nujoma rapidly became an active leader in pursuit of international backing. His exile leadership raised the arms and rallied global support in favor of his movement.
In 1989, the conflict finally gave way to a cease-fire, and free elections were held. Swapo won, and Nujoma took office as Namibia’s first head of state in March 1990.
Under him, Namibia started finding its place in education and healthcare, besides attempting to heal the apartheid-inflicted wounds.
He is survived by his wife Kovambo Katjimune, whom he married in 1956, along with their five children.
– Additional reporting by Bloomberg.
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