President Cyril Ramaphosa honors the legacy of Dr. Sam Nujoma, the late Founding President of Namibia
Pretoria – President Cyril Ramaphosa has expressed his “deep condolences” on behalf of the South African government and its people to the government and citizens of Namibia following the death of their founding president, Dr. Sam Shafiishuna Nujoma.
Dr. Nujoma, who was 95 years old, had been hospitalized for the last three weeks before his passing due to illness.
“President Ramaphosa extends his heartfelt sympathies to the Founding First Lady of the Republic of Namibia, Her Excellency Kovambo Nujoma, along with the extended Nujoma and Kondombolo families,” the Presidency mentioned in a statement on Sunday, 9 February 2025.
“The President’s thoughts are with Namibian President His Excellency Dr. Nangolo Mbumba and the government of our northwest neighbor, who are mourning this loss just a year after the passing of President Hage Geingob.”
Dr. Nujoma served as Namibia’s first President for three consecutive terms, from 1990 until 2005.
President Ramaphosa stated that as neighbors and allies, South Africa stands “united in grief” with Namibians mourning the loss of a leader integral to the Namibian revolution, whose legacy is intertwined with “our own historical struggle and fight for liberation.”
“Dr. Sam Nujoma was an exceptional freedom fighter who dedicated his revolutionary efforts both to Namibia’s fight against South African colonialism and to the liberation of South Africa from apartheid,” said President Ramaphosa.
“In both exile and on home soil, he guided the Ovambo People’s Organisation, the South West Africa People’s Organisation, and the People’s Liberation Army of Namibia in their challenges against the formidable forces of colonialism and apartheid.”
“Sam Nujoma inspired the Namibian people to take pride in their identity and to resist oppression, regardless of their population size.
“Namibia’s independence from South Africa in 1990 sparked in us the confidence of our own eventual liberation.
“President Nujoma’s leadership in a free Namibia has played a crucial role in fostering the solidarity and partnership that exists between our two nations today – a partnership that we will continue to nurture as friends and neighbors.”
“We are thankful for the long life Dr. Sam Nujoma enjoyed, and for his unwavering dedication over many decades to serving his nation.
“May his soul find eternal rest, and may our neighbors draw comfort from his enduring legacy.”