Nujoma’s last journey through Namibia

Natangwe Shivanda was not yet born when founding president Sam Nujoma made his inaugural speech as the first president of a free and independent Namibia.

Yet, Shivanda (14) joined thousands of Namibians who lined the streets countrywide over the past two weeks to pay his last respects to a man he only heard about from his grandmother.

Shivanda told The Namibian that he learnt liberation songs from his grandmother who passed them onto him with tales of war and victory.

“My grandmother would sing these songs … she taught me about all the things Sam did for the country,” he said.

MILITARY PROCESSION

Nujoma’s body was flown to seven regions – Omusati, Oshana, Erongo, Kavango East, Zambezi, Otjozondjupa and //Kharas – before returning to the Khomas region yesterday.

Over the past two weeks, Namibian military and police escorted their former commander-in-chief for the last time.

The founding president’s casket was draped in Namibia’s flag, mirroring the sea of flags held by mourners along the road.

Nujoma died on 8 February following a period of ill health. He was 95 years old.

While Nujoma’s last journey in Namibia started with tears at his Windhoek residence, his casket was welcomed with songs and praise at his home town Etunda. “Tu na tuu emonathano,” hundreds of mourners at Andimba Toivo ya Toivo Airport were heard singing as the casket was offloaded: “we will certainly meet again”.

FIRST STOP

Mourners in the Omusati region gathered at the airport as early as 06h00. On the 200km two-hour journey to Etunda village, thousands more lined the road to bid farewell the liberation struggle icon. Soldiers were posted every few metres to protect the casket.

After the procession’s arrival at Nujoma’s village around 16h00, speaker after speaker described Nujoma as a man who never wavered.

After the end of the official program, mourners queued while singing Oshiwambo hymns to view the body until the early hours.

The next day, Nujoma’s body traveled to the Eenhana sport field, preceded by hymns and liberation songs. The field fell silent as soldiers brought the casket to the podium, where Nujoma would lie in state until the following day at 06h00.

During the memorial service Nujoma’s eldest son, Utoni Nujoma revealed how his father’s health had been deteriorating for the past year and that, despite the medical team’s efforts, he could not be saved.

“The past six months have really been difficult for our family,” he said.

KAVANGO EAST, WEST

Heavy showers in the Kavango East region did not stop hundreds of Namibians from lining up along the B1 national highway on Saturday.

Resident Alvina Endunde said it was an honour to witness and pay the last respect to Nujoma. “We the youth must carry on the legacy of the founding president, we must not abuse the freedom, and the freedom he brought to us,” said Endunde.

ZAMBEZI

The Zambezi region was another significant stop for Nujoma’s casket; the founding president oversaw the suppression of the Caprivi conflict in August 1999, during which a state of emergency was declared.

On Sunday, the casket was met once again with song, this time from the Caprivi Senior Secondary School choir. Those watching the procession continued to sing liberation songs, capturing this historic moment on their cellphones.

“The first task of Dr. Sam Nujoma was to unite the fragmented nation into a unified nation to rally into a formidable and protracted armed struggle,” said Zambezi regional governor Lawrence Sampofu.

ERONGO

Nujoma’s penultimate stop on Tuesday was Walvis Bay, the town he had moved to in 1946 to live with his aunt Gebhart Nandjule.

Despite the plane landing 90 minutes ahead of schedule at 09h30, scores of people had already lined up along the road.

Four alarms pierced the air, announcing the arrival, leading residents to sing songs as the procession moved through the town, shouting Nujoma’s name and thanking him for their freedom.

Erongo governor Neville Andre said: “It is here at Walvis Bay that his dream for a free Namibia was ignited and shaped his resolve and determination to fight for the total liberation of Namibia.”

//KHARAS

The founding presidents’ body arrived at Keetmanshoop at 10h00 on Wednesday, met by acting chief mourner John Mutorwa and other mourners waiting to express their appreciation for the founding presidents’ role in overthrowing foreign occupation.

During the memorial, Mutorwa paid tribute to Nujoma’s character and drive, as well as his efforts after independence: “Nujoma could see beyond the attainment of freedom and that there would be a need for economic emancipation”.

CAPITAL CITY

Thousands of Windhoek residents queued along the B6 road from the Hosea Kutako International Airport to see the Nujoma’s casket on Thursday morning. Residents from affluent suburbs and informal settlements alike shed tears for Nujoma.

Mourners lined Sam Nujoma Drive and several other streets in the city, waving Namibian flags and holding portraits of Nujoma. Some sang liberation songs while others stood by silently as the procession wound through the city, stopping at Parliament Gardens, where Nujoma’s body while lie in state overnight.

Resident Ester Amia recalled a memory she cherishes of Nujoma.

“I will never forget watching a documentary on television when the founding father was asked what his middle name, Shafiishuna, means and he answered that it meant dangerous, with a big smile on his face,” she said, watching the procession pass.

Nujoma’s funeral will be held at Heroes’ Acre on Saturday, where world leaders are expected to attend.

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