Mozambique has announced three days of national mourning for Sam Nujoma, the Founding President of Namibia, who recently passed away. President Daniel Chapo has expressed condolences, recognizing Nujoma’s pivotal role in Namibia’s independence and his impact on peace in Southern Africa. Nujoma, born in 1929, led the Swapo movement, fighting for freedom and later earned a master’s degree in geology after retiring from politics.
The Mozambican government has officially declared three days of national mourning in honor of Sam Nujoma, the Founding President of Namibia, who passed away on Saturday following a protracted illness. This mourning period commenced on Wednesday, as Mozambique expresses its condolences. President Daniel Chapo extended his sympathies in a message to Namibia’s President Nangolo Mbumba, emphasizing that Nujoma’s death signifies a significant loss for the African continent.
President Chapo acknowledged Nujoma as a remarkable leader pivotal in Namibia’s independence movement and a contributor to peace and security within the Southern African region. Nujoma, as leader of the South West Africa People’s Organisation (Swapo), played a central role in Namibia achieving independence from South Africa in 1990. Moreover, in 2021, he rejected Germany’s compensation offer regarding the genocide of the Herero and Nama peoples, calling it “terribly insignificant” and urging Namibia to resume negotiations with Germany regarding reparations.
Born on May 12, 1929, Sam Nujoma came from a farming family and was the eldest of ten children. At age seventeen, he relocated to Walvis Bay, where he encountered racial discrimination, prompting him to join a trade union and pursue night schooling, leading to his affiliation with pro-independence efforts. Following his exile in 1960, he would eventually lead the armed struggle initiated in 1966, which claimed over 20,000 lives during the conflict.
After serving as president, Nujoma opted not to establish a commission to investigate the atrocities from the protracted struggle between Swapo and South African forces. Upon retirement, he pursued education, ultimately earning a master’s degree in geology, driven by the belief in Namibia’s untapped mineral potential.
In summary, the Mozambican government’s declaration of national mourning highlights the profound respect for Sam Nujoma as a leader not only for Namibia but for the entire African continent. His contributions to the liberation movement and regional stability are commemorated during this period of mourning. As Africa bids farewell to these influential leaders, it reflects on their legacies in the quest for independence and dignity.
Original Source: clubofmozambique.com
