WINDHOEK, Namibia (AP) — Namibia’s founding president, Sam Nujoma, who steered the nation to freedom from apartheid South Africa, was laid to relaxation within the nation’s Heroes Acre cemetery on Saturday following a state funeral attended by African leaders and international dignitaries.
Mourners from all corners of the nation started to collect as early as 6 a.m. to pay their last tributes to a person they knew as their “founding father,” an anti-apartheid activist who served three phrases as president from 1990 to 2005.
Nujoma died on Feb. 8 at age 95 after spending three weeks at a Windhoek hospital. His widow, Theopoldine Nujoma, his kids, grandchildren and great-grandchildren have been in attendance.
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“He was a pillar of power and a fountain of knowledge within the household. Though we couldn’t have him round us on a regular basis, we however understood very effectively that he embodied and personified the liberation wrestle for Namibia’s freedom and independence,” Nujoma’s eldest son, Utoni Nujoma, stated at a soccer stadium crammed with mourners.
“Even though our hearts are engulfed by grief, we subsequently rejoice his lengthy and fulfilling life in addition to his unwavering spirit when he devoted his total life to the liberation of our motherland and your complete African continent,” Utoni added.
Namibia had noticed a 21-day mourning interval, with flags at half-staff. Nujoma’s physique was honored with a nationwide farewell as his stays have been flown to seven areas together with his village homestead of Etunda, in Okahao, permitting tons of of hundreds of Namibians to pay their respects.
21-gun salute
Nujoma was the final of a era of African leaders who led their nations out of colonial or white minority rule that included South Africa’s Nelson Mandela, Mozambique’s Samora Machel, Zimbabwe’s Robert Mugabe, Tanzania’s Julius Nyerere and Zambia’s Kenneth Kaunda.
His casket, draped within the Namibian flag with the title ‘Founding president and Father of the Namibian nation’ on it, was lowered concurrently with a 21-gun salute and a flypast by the Namibian Air Pressure, into the mausoleum on the Heroes Acre.
The Heroes Acre was constructed as a last resting place for Namibians who made significant contributions to the liberty loved by the nation immediately.
Present Namibian President Nangolo Mbumba described Nujoma as a rare human being. Mbumba stated Nujoma exhibited the traits of a person pushed by objective and future.
“Who else may rise from the common-or-garden dwellings of Etunda to guide a nation to independence? Who else may traverse from a dusty village to the hallways of the United Nations? Who else may rise from relative obscurity and find yourself rubbing shoulders with among the most iconic leaders of the twentieth century? Solely a rare human being may obtain such feats,” Mbumba stated.
An African icon
Current and former African heads of states attended the memorial service and funeral, together with South Africa’s Thabo Mbeki and Cyril Ramaphosa, Congo’s Joseph Kabila, Zimbabwe’s Emmerson Mnangagwa, Botswana’s Ian Khama, Angola’s João Manuel Gonçalves Lourenço, Tanzanian Vice President Philip Mpango and Lesotho’s prime minister, Samuel Matekane.
They described Nujoma as an African icon, and a person of rules who defended the African continent in opposition to colonial techniques.
After practically 30 years in exile, Nujoma returned to Namibia to guide the liberation motion SWAPO within the U.N.-supervised elections in November 1989 that subsequently elevated him to the nation’s highest workplace.
Throughout his lifetime, Nujoma was awarded honors and awards for his excellent management, braveness and whole dedication towards the creation of a nonracial society in Namibia.
He’s survived by three siblings, a spouse, two sons, 24 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren.
