Nujoma Set Leadership Bar High

It is very difficult to break founding president Sam Nujoma’s good record.

Of all the leadership we have had thus far in Namibia, only Nujoma’s leadership stands out, and by the look of things, only president Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah’s leadership may be able to match his outstanding achievements for the nation.

After becoming the first president of Namibia on 21 March 1990, Nujoma implemented a policy of national reconciliation. He deeply understood the agenda of nation-building. As a teacher, nurse and youth activist, I regard him as a high priest of freedom in our motherland. He was the George Washington of Namibia, the Nelson Mandela of the ‘Land of the Brave’ and the Fidel Castro of our lovely zebra nation.

Nujoma understood that real leadership is about building lasting systems that serve everyone equally. It is about listening as much as speaking and respecting the contributions of others, even when you disagree with them.

During his 15 years as president, people were more united than they are today. He elevated the agenda of nation-building and was a reservoir of goodwill.

He understood that building a nation requires deliberate programmes and actions.

The point I want to make is that we are all human beings created in God’s image. Most importantly, we are all Namibians.

However, we do not have the same gifts and, therefore, we should always value talent identification, development and management in all areas. Nujoma did that, and we should keep doing it.

Namibia belongs to everyone who lives in it. If we get that right, Namibia will become a role model to the whole world.

Let’s emulate Nujoma’s legacy for the purpose of the future.

May his legacy continue to inspire us forever.

– Alfeus Hamundja

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