The primary president of unbiased Namibia, Sam Nujoma, has died on the age of 95 within the capital Windhoek, the nation’s present chief has introduced.
Nujoma led the lengthy struggle for independence from South Africa in 1990 after serving to discovered Namibia’s liberation motion often known as the South West Peoples’ Organisation (Swapo) within the Nineteen Sixties.
After independence, Nujoma turned president in 1990 and led the nation till 2005.
Nujoma had been hospitalised over the previous three weeks with an sickness from which he “couldn’t get better”, Namibian President Nangolo Mbumba stated in a press release saying the demise with “utmost sorrow and disappointment”.
He “impressed us to rise to our toes and to change into masters of this huge land of our ancestors,” President Mbumba stated.
He added: “Our founding father lived an extended and consequential life throughout which he exceptionally served the individuals of his beloved nation.”
Nujoma retired as head of state in 2005, however continued to guide the celebration earlier than stepping down in 2007 as president of the ruling Swapo celebration after 47 years on the helm.
Many Namibians have reacted to his demise with disappointment, fondly remembering him as “father of the nation”, says the BBC’s Frauke Jensen in Namibia’s capital, Windhoek.
A teary-eyed Mbumba visited Nujoma’s residence to supply condolences to his household, together with his spouse Kovambo Theopoldine Katjimune, 91.
Nujoma is extensively credited for guaranteeing peace and stability after independence from South Africa, which was then beneath white-minority rule, in 1990.
Nujoma’s coverage of nationwide reconciliation inspired the nation’s white group to stay, and so they nonetheless play a significant position in farming and different sectors of the financial system.
He additionally championed the rights of girls and kids, together with making fathers pay for the upkeep of kids born out of wedlock.
Namibia’s Vice-President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, who is because of be inaugurated as president in March after main Swapo to victory in elections, stated his “visionary management and dedication to liberation and nation-building laid the inspiration for our free, united nation”.
African leaders have joined in paying tribute, with African Union Fee chairman Moussa Faki Mahamat describing Nujoma as “the epitome of braveness, by no means wavering from his imaginative and prescient for a free Namibia and a unified Africa”.
South Africa’s President Cyril Ramaphosa stated the previous Namibian president was an “extraordinary freedom fighter” who performed a number one position in not solely his nation’s struggle in opposition to colonialism, but in addition within the marketing campaign that led to white-minority rule ending in South Africa in 1994.
“President Nujoma’s management of a free Namibia laid the inspiration for the solidarity and partnership our two international locations share in the present day – a partnership we are going to proceed to deepen as neighbours and associates,” Ramaphosa added.
Kenya’s President William Ruto stated Nujoma was a “visionary chief who devoted his life to the liberation and growth of his nation”.
Funeral particulars haven’t but been introduced.
