Sam Nujoma, one year on

ON 8 February 2025, Namibia’s founding president and liberation stalwart died aged 95.

Sam Nujoma was revered as the “architect” of the nation’s freedom. One year after his death, The Namibian spoke to locals from all walks of life about his influence.

Emma Theofelus: “I believe our founding father Nujoma, wherever he is now, would be proud of the foundation he has laid in Namibia. He was a fiery leader who deserved the title of leader of our revolution. Namibia is standing because of his hard work as he led this country towards independence and steering it on a path towards democracy and stability and for that, this generation and the generations to come will be the personification of his legacy. Namibia is because he was.”

Bethuel Tjaveondja: “His excellency the founding father was the cornerstone and architect of our independence. He was a visionary leader who unwaveringly contributed to the total liberation of an independent Namibia. He has done his part and we owe it to him and many other fallen heroes and heroines to finish the course towards total economic transformation and emancipation. May his spirit continue to guide us towards a prosperous future for every member of our society. We will never forget his sacrifices for a free and independent country.”

Nikanor Nangolo: “In remembrance of our mighty founding father, tatekulu Nujoma, a formidable leader whose legacy will never fade. His spirit will always remain with us. My first encounter with him was during his visits to monitor the construction progress of the  Indira Gandhi Clinic at Onemanya in the Okahao constituency of the Omusati region. On that occasion, I had the honour of shaking his hand and introducing myself. He told me that he knew my grandfather as they grew up together. He shared a light-hearted joke about my grandfather and himself, and we laughed together. From that moment on, I met tatekulu on several occasions, and he was always a jovial and warm person to be around. He had a strong heart, a never-give-up mentality, and consistently advocated for the development and betterment of every Namibian child.”

Lavinia Hendrik: “Sam Nujoma, you were a true hero and inspiration to me and many others. Your bright smile and unwavering dedication to our nation’s freedom will forever be remembered. I was just 15 when I saw Nujoma, and I’ll never forget the feeling. His warmth and passion for our nation left a lasting impact on me. I’m grateful for his legacy and the freedom he fought for.”

Sisa Namandje: “Nujoma died on 8 February 2025 as an accomplished revolutionary. As we remember the first anniversary since his death, we have pleasant memories of the fact that until his death, Nujoma remained the lodestar for Namibia as a nation still rebuilding itself from the destructive effects of the apartheid system to which our people were subjected for over a century. Therefore, the remembrance of the first anniversary of his death must inspire us all to be consumed with ideas and notions of a society free of poverty, diseases, tribalism and disunity. We must also be reminded that our founding father left us a constitutionally and structurally well-prepared country, in which we must be resolute in protecting the gains of our hard-won victory over colonialism and apartheid.”

Petrine Hango: “Some of my fondest childhood memories are from the late 1990s at Indira Gandhi Clinic at Onemanya, where I once saw our founding president. When he visited Onemanya, his helicopter would fly over my parent’s  homestead. As children, we didn’t need to be told who it was, we knew. We would run excitedly to greet him, knowing that history itself had arrived in our village. Nujoma is a symbol of unity, peace,  resilience, humility,  sacrifice and unwavering commitment. He sacrificed his youth, his comfort, and his safety for the liberation struggle. When one reflects on the journeys he made, walking to Botswana at night, driven by nothing but the dream of a free Namibia, one truly understands the weight of that sacrifice. Today, as a legal practitioner, it is an honour to defend  the fundamental rights enshrined in our Constitution, rights that exist because of the sacrifices he and many others made.

Nokokule Shikongo: “One of the many things I admire about Nujoma is his unwavering belief in education as the foundation of dignity and liberation. He understood that education was not about titles, but about producing citizens capable of understanding their history, their economy, and their place in the world. Growing up, this view shaped how I came to understand my own responsibility to the nation. To know the context of our history, the fibre of our economy, and our place in the global order is to honour our freedom; to study is to ensure that the sacrifices made for our independence – political and economic – were not made in vain.”

Pohamba Shifeta: “His leadership and vision guided Namibia to freedom and democracy, leaving a lasting legacy. Nujoma sacrificed his youthful life for the devotion to Namibia’s liberation struggle. His commitment to national unity, reconciliation, and development has inspired generations. His tireless efforts earned him international respect and recognition. Rest in peace, Nujoma. Your impact on Namibia and Africa will be remembered forever. We will forever cherish your legacy.”

Fransina Nelulu: “We stand united as a nation in remembrance of our founding father – a visionary leader whose sacrifice, courage, and unwavering commitment secured our freedom. What will always remain special to me about him is his deep belief in unity and self-determination. He taught us that Namibia’s strength lies in its people, and that our independence must be protected through service, integrity, and responsibility especially by the youth. As we honour his legacy, may we continue to build a Namibia that reflects the values he lived and fought for. May his soul rest in eternal peace.”

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