Zambezi war veterans hail Nujoma as a unifier

Zambezi veterans remember the late founding president, Sam Nujoma, as a leader who unified Namibians to bring about the country’s independence.

These remarks were made during the official opening of the regional book of condolences in remembrance of Nujoma on Friday.

Regional governor Lawrence Sampofu, who led the ceremony, said Nujoma tirelessly mobilised Namibians to be united in the mission to liberate the country.

“The man we are honoring today organised the liberation struggle of this country … However, it was not easy at the beginning because we were so divided by the colonialists through Bantustans. Nonetheless, he united us to forge ahead to get our own independence,” he said.

War veteran Georgina Mwiya said Nujoma unified the army and the Namibian people – inside and outside the country – and inspired them through his words to liberate the country.

“He lived for unity of purpose, and without it we could not have achieved what we did under his leadership. He was a man of the people. He could just look at you and smile, unlike many who think because you were in the army, you have power. He did not discriminate against anyone, nor was he selfish,” she said.

Another war veteran, John Chioma Tubalele, said that Nujoma was not merely a president or politician to him; he remembered Nujoma as a philosopher who always carried the Bible and declared that Namibia would be independent.

“His declaration happened, and we live in an independent country until today. It was a great honor for me to have lived under the system of Nujoma,” he said.