Nujoma’s death has shaken Namibia’s foundations – IPC leader Itula

Independent Patriots for Change (IPC) president Panduleni Itula has paid tribute to founding president Sam Nujoma, saying his death has shaken the Namibian nation.

Nujoma died in a Windhoek hospital on Saturday evening at the age of 95.

Itula on Sunday said there is no doubt that Namibia’s foundation of democracy and independence has been shaken severely by Nujoma’s death.

“But I’ve got no doubt that Namibians of all walks and all ages and generations will hold hands together in memory of our fallen commander-in-chief and remember him for the strength and tenacity and perseverance and consistency in the leadership he’s demonstrated,” he said.

Itula said Nujoma is in the league of leaders such as Samora Machel (Mozambique), Julius Nyerere (Tanzania), Kenneth Kaunda (Zambia), Robert Mugabe (Zimbabwe) and Agostinho Neto (Angola) who have demonstrated that colonialism can be defeated.

“As Namibians, we will look up to the image and the example he has presented,” he said.

He said his first encounter with Nujoma was in April 1981 at the President Hotel in London, where they were introduced by then chief representative Shapua Kaukungwa.

While watching television, former foreign secretary of Britain Peter Carrington appeared, Itula said.

He recalled that Nujoma said: “These people are exploiting our wealth from Namibia. We shall win the liberation struggle.”

“And when we hoisted the Swapo flag on the City Council of Sheffield, his excellency Dr Shafishuna Nujoma came and said, ‘truly, Namibia will be liberated’. His words were found to be true.”