Swapo renames B1 complex to honour Nujoma

The busy B1 complex and surrounding areas will now be known as Sam Nujoma Square, in tribute to the founding president.

This was announced yesterday by Swapo vice president and president-elect Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah during the unveiling of a statue in Nujoma’s honour at the party headquarters.

“This complex where the office of the headquarters is situated and all surrounding areas will be known as Sam Nujoma Square in honour of his legacy,” she said.

Nandi-Ndaitwah said Nujoma was the last founding president from his cohort across the continent, adding that he remains an icon and pillar of the nation.

Nujoma’s vision and foresight, said Nandi-Ndaitwah, has made Namibia what it is today. She urged young people to emulate him and become good leaders.

She said the office in the party headquarters that was intended for Nujoma’s use will be converted into a museum used to document his historical contribution. She urged the public to donate any historical items that relate to Nujoma’s legacy.

The president-elect also unveiled a statue of Nujoma holding a baby, commemorating survivors of the Cassinga massacre on 4 May 1978.

She credited Nujoma with the idea to construct a party headquarters, saying he suggested it in 1993 following which Sawpo’s political bureau – under Nujoma’s leadership – officially took a decision to go ahead. This was followed up by an aggressive campaign to mobilise funds, during which party members were required to contribute to the construction of the N$730 million building.

Swapo secretary general Sophia Shaningwa says leaders and revolutionaries never die, but live forever through their legacy.

“Leaders are born with a purpose and Nujoma was one. It is indeed fitting for all of us to come here and witness this historic moment of the unveiling of the symbolic statue in honour of our founding president,” she says.

Nujoma’s body, which lay in state last night at Parliament Gardens, will be transported to the Independence Stadium in Windhoek for the final state memorial service. Several heads of state are expected to be in attendance, including former president of the Democratic Republic of Congo Joseph Kabila and former president of South Africa Thabo Mbeki.

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