By Ncaba Ntshakala
Eswatini has expressed deep condolences to the Government and People of Namibia following the passing of Dr. Sam Nujoma, the country’s founding President and a key figure in its liberation struggle.
The message of sympathy was delivered by Prime Minister Russell Mmiso Dlamini on behalf of His Majesty King Mswati III, Her Majesty the Queen Mother, the Government, and the People of Eswatini.
The condolence message, conveyed through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, highlighted Dr. Nujoma’s legacy as a symbol of courage and resilience in Africa’s fight for independence.
“We recognize Dr. Nujoma’s pivotal role in Namibia’s liberation and his legacy of courage and resilience, which continues to inspire generations across Africa.
His passing is a profound loss not only to Namibia but to the continent as a whole,” the message stated.
Eswatini reaffirmed its solidarity with Namibia during this time of mourning, emphasizing the need for the international community to strengthen economic cooperation and development initiatives in the region.
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The government also extended prayers for comfort and strength to Dr. Nujoma’s family, relatives, and the people of Namibia as they navigate this difficult period.
Dr. Sam Nujoma was Namibia’s first President after the country gained independence from South Africa in 1990.
His leadership and dedication to national unity and economic development positioned him as a respected statesman across the African continent.
His contributions to the liberation struggle left an indelible mark on Namibia’s history and the broader African independence movement.
Nujoma was a founding member and the first president of the South West Africa People’s Organization (SWAPO) in 1960. Before 1960, SWAPO was known as the Ovambo People’s Organisation (OPO).
He played an important role as leader of the national liberation movement in campaigning for Namibia’s political independence from South African rule.
He established the People’s Liberation Army of Namibia (PLAN) in 1962 and launched a guerrilla war against the apartheid government of South Africa in August 1966 at Omugulugwombashe, beginning after the United Nations withdrew the mandate for South Africa to govern the territory.
Nujoma led SWAPO during the lengthy Namibian War of Independence, which lasted from 1966 to 1989.
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Nujoma became involved in anti-colonial politics during the 1950s. In 1959, he co-founded and served as the first president of the Ovamboland People’s Organization (OPO), a nationalist organization advocating an independent Namibia.
In December 1958 he was an organizer of the Old Location resistance and was arrested and deported to Ovamboland. In 1960 he escaped and went into exile in Tanzania where he was welcomed by Julius Nyerere.
Namibia finally achieved independence from South Africa in 1990, holding its first democratic elections. SWAPO won a majority and Nujoma was elected as the country’s first President on 21 March 1990.
He was re-elected for two more terms in 1994 and 1999. Nujoma retired as SWAPO party president on 30 November 2007.
He published his autobiography “Where Others Wavered in 2005”. He has received multiple honors and awards for his leadership, including the Lenin Peace Prize, the Indira Gandhi Peace Prize, and the Ho Chi Minh Peace Prize.
The Parliament of Namibia honored him with the titles “Founding President of the Republic of Namibia” and “Father of the Namibian Nation”. In 2007 SWAPO named him “Leader of the Namibian Revolution.”
