Sam Nujoma, Namibia’s first democratically elected president and founding father, has died at 95. He led Namibia to independence in 1990 but faced criticism for authoritarianism and controversial policies. Nujoma’s legacy includes efforts toward national reconciliation, but his record also includes media suppression and violent responses to dissent. His life was marked by his activism against apartheid and the establishment of SWAPO’s military wing, culminating in a historic majority win for SWAPO in 1989 elections.
Sam Nujoma, the revered activist and guerrilla leader who became Namibia’s inaugural democratically elected president after its liberation from apartheid South Africa, has passed away at the age of 95. The Namibian Presidency confirmed his death on Saturday, stating he had been undergoing medical treatment for the past three weeks. Nujoma’s leadership commenced on March 21, 1990, and he was recognized as the “Founding Father of the Namibian Nation” through a parliamentary act in 2005.
Despite his accolades, Nujoma faced criticism for his intolerance towards dissenting media, his opposition to homosexuality, and a constitutional amendment in 1998 that enabled his third presidential term. Nujoma maintained a close alliance with Zimbabwean leader Robert Mugabe, endorsing the seizure of land from white farmers, while at home he adhered to a “willing buyer, willing seller” policy for land redistribution. The Namibian Presidency remarked, “The foundations of the Republic of Namibia have been shaken.”
They reflected on Nujoma’s contributions, asserting his role in inspiring Namibians to take ownership of their land, stating, “Our venerable leader, Dr. Nujoma did not only blaze the trail to freedom – but he also inspired us to rise to our feet.”
Serving as president from 1990 to 2005, Nujoma sought to unify a nation scarred by the impacts of apartheid and colonial rule, leading national reconciliation efforts under the slogan “One Namibia, One Nation.” He frequently stressed the importance of unity, saying, “A united people, striving to achieve a common good for all members of the society, will always emerge victorious.”
While Nujoma’s achievements include establishing democratic institutions, his authoritarian inclination, apparent in media suppression and the violent response to the 1999 Caprivi rebellion, looms over his legacy, according to political analyst Ndumba Kamwanyah. He stated, “While Nujoma’s presidency was foundational in establishing Namibia’s independence and governance, it was not without flaws.”
Born in northwest Namibia in 1929, during South African rule, Nujoma’s early experiences were shaped by his family’s pastoral lifestyle and education at a Finnish mission school. His activism began in the late 1950s as he emerged as a leader of the Owambo People’s Organisation, advocating against forced relocations in Windhoek, an endeavor that resulted in his arrest and exile in 1960. Nujoma subsequently petitioned the United Nations for Namibia’s independence and led SWAPO’s military wing in a guerrilla campaign against the apartheid regime.
The endurance of Nujoma and his allies culminated in a UN resolution for a ceasefire in 1978, leading to Namibia’s first elections in late 1989, during which SWAPO secured a significant majority. Nujoma officially took office as president in March 1990, marking a pivotal point in Namibia’s history.
Sam Nujoma’s death marks the end of an era for Namibia, reflecting on his significant yet multifaceted legacy as the nation’s founding leader. His leadership transitioned Namibia towards independence and democracy, although it was shaded by his authoritarian tendencies and controversial policies. Nujoma’s impact on Namibia and its path towards unity and governance remains a subject of both respect and critique.
Original Source: www.lismorecitynews.com.au
