The nation is enveloped in grief following the announcement by President Nangolo Mbumba of the passing of Sam Nujoma, Namibia’s first president and a revered figure in the country’s independence struggle. Nujoma, who died at the age of 95 in Windhoek on the evening of February 8, 2025, was a founding member of the South West People’s Organisation (Swapo) and led Namibia to independence from South Africa in 1990.
Nujoma had been hospitalized for the past three weeks due to illness. President Mbumba expressed his deep sorrow, stating, “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.”
“It is therefore with utmost sorrow and sadness that I announce this morning of the 9th of February 2025 to the Namibian people, our African brothers and sisters and the world at large, about the passing of our revered freedom fighter and revolutionary leader, H.E. Dr. Sam Shafiishuna Nujoma,” Mbumba continued. “President Nujoma passed on at the age of 95 on the 8th of February at 23h45 in Windhoek, Namibia.”
Reflecting on Nujoma’s legacy, President Mbumba praised his leadership: “Our Founding Father lived a long and consequential life during which he exceptionally served the people of his beloved country. Our Founding Father heroically marshalled the Namibian people during the darkest hours of our liberation struggle until the attainment of freedom and independence on the 21st of March 1990.”
He further highlighted Nujoma’s role in nation-building: “As Founding President, His Excellency, Dr. Sam Nujoma provided maximum leadership to our nation and spared no effort to motivate each and every Namibian to build a country that would stand tall and proud among the nations of the world. In that vein, our venerable leader, Dr. Nujoma did not only blaze the trail to freedom – but he also inspired us to rise to our feet and to become masters of this vast land of our ancestors.”
President Mbumba concluded by thanking the medical staff for their care and acknowledged the support from Namibians and friends of Namibia. He extended his condolences to Nujoma’s family, including the Founding First Lady, Her Excellency Kovambo Nujoma, and their children.
Details regarding a period of national mourning and the arrangements for Nujoma’s burial will be announced by the government at a later date.