The Editors’ Forum of Namibia (EFN) has hailed late founding president Sam Nujoma as integral to African press freedom, crediting him for his role in the historic Windhoek Declaration.
In a media statement issued on Sunday afternoon, the EFN paid tribute to Nujoma, who died on Saturday night after a period of ill health.
“Without the blessing of the then president, the initiative and seminar by African journalists, who were supported by United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation, under the title of ‘promoting an independent and pluralistic African press’, would not have been possible,” the EFN stated.
The EFN highlighted Nujoma’s vision of Namibia as a model for press freedom in Africa and praised his leadership in setting this precedent.
“The founding father should, among many other attributes, be remembered for proclaiming the policy of ‘national reconciliation’, which led to harmonised relations among Namibians.
“He not only believed in building a unified nation, while respecting the diversity of the Namibian nation, but he also ensured that Namibia became a nation that honours democracy and observes the rule of law,” the EFN noted.
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