Sam Nujoma, the revered guerrilla leader who led Namibia to independence from South Africa in 1990 and served as its first president, has passed away at the age of 95. The Namibian presidency announced his death in a Facebook post on Saturday, February 9, 2025.
Nujoma had been hospitalized for the past three weeks due to an illness from which he “could not recover,” President Nangolo Mbumba confirmed in a statement.
“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,” Mbumba said.
The president paid tribute to Nujoma’s legacy, describing him as a national hero whose life was dedicated to the liberation and progress of Namibia.
“Our Founding Father lived a long and consequential life during which he exceptionally served the people of his beloved country.”
A Life Dedicated to Liberation
Born in 1929 to humble farmers from the Ovambo tribe, Sam Nujoma was the eldest of 10 children. His journey to political consciousness began in 1949 when he worked as a railway sweeper while attending night classes. His activism took shape in the late 1950s when he joined black workers in Windhoek resisting a government order to relocate to a new township.
In 1960, Nujoma went into exile and was elected leader of the South West Africa People’s Organization (SWAPO), the movement that spearheaded Namibia’s fight for independence from apartheid-era South Africa. After decades of struggle, he led Namibia to independence in 1990, serving as its first president until 2005.
“He inspired us to rise to our feet and to become masters of this vast land of our ancestors,” President Mbumba remarked.
A Lasting Legacy
Nujoma’s contributions to Namibia and the broader African liberation struggle cement his place in history as a fearless leader and visionary statesman. His passing marks the end of an era for Namibia, but his legacy will continue to inspire generations to come.