President Cyril Ramaphosa has described the late Namibian President Sam Nujoma, as an extraordinary freedom fighter who dedicated his life to the freedom of his country, and the liberation of South Africa from apartheid.
His comments come following the death of Nujoma on Saturday night in Windhoek, following an illness.
“Namibia’s attainment of independence from South Africa in 1990 ignited in us the inevitability of our own liberation.
On behalf of the government and people of South Africa, President Cyril Ramaphosa offers his deep condolences to the government and people of the Republic of Namibia on the passing of Founding President His Excellency Dr Sam Shafiishuna Nujoma, aged 95.
President Ramaphosa extends his sympathies to Founding First Lady of the Republic of Namibia, Her Excellency Kovambo Nujoma, and the broader Nujoma and Kondombolo Family,” said Ramaphosa.
Nujoma’s passing was announced by incumbent president, Nangolo Mbumba, during a televised speech to the nation.
“The foundations of the Republic of Namibia have been shaken.
Over the past three weeks, the Founding President of the Republic of Namibia and Founding Father of the Namibian Nation was hospitalized for medical treatment and medical observation due to ill health.
Unfortunately, this time, the most gallant son of our land could not recover from his illness,” said Mbumba.
Nujoma was Namibia’s first democratically elected president after it won its independence from apartheid South Africa in 1990, as he led the Ovambo People’s Organisation, the South West Africa People’s Organisation and the People’s Liberation Army.
Nujoma’s death comes 12 months following the passing of former president, Hage Geingob.
“As neighbours and compatriots, South Africa is united in grief with Namibians who have lost the leader of the Namibian revolution, who is inseparable from our own history of struggle and liberation.
Dr Sam Nujoma was an extraordinary freedom fighter who divided his revolutionary programme between Namibia’s own struggle against South African colonialism and the liberation of South Africa from apartheid,” remarked Ramaphosa.
In addition, Ramaphosa said Nujoma inspired the Namibian people to pride and resistance that belied the size of the population.
“Namibia’s attainment of independence from South Africa in 1990 ignited in us the inevitability of our own liberation.
President Nujoma’s leadership of a free Namibia laid the foundation for the solidarity and partnership our two countries share today, a partnership we will continue to deepen as neighbours and friends.
We are grateful for the extended lifetime with which Dr Sam Nujoma was blessed, and we are grateful the way he dedicated the many decades of his life to serving his nation,” explained Ramaphosa.
